Dexter Pittman

Dexter Jerome Pittman (born March 2, 1988) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns.

Pittman was a three-year starter at B. F. Terry High School, where he averaged 15 points and 8.5 rebounds per game over his career. In his senior season, he was named the Most Valuable Player for District 24-4A.

Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Pittman was listed as the No. 16 center and the No. 150 player in the nation in 2006.

Pittman was used sparingly in his first two seasons at Texas, averaging less than 3 points per game with just one start. As a junior, he started 24 games–averaging 10 points and 5.5 rebounds per game–and became one of the most dominant centers in the Big 12 conference.

Pittman weighed 388 lbs as a senior at Terry High School. After receiving weight loss tips from Texas' Strength and conditioning coach Todd Wright, he was able to drop his weight to 366 lbs before enrolling at Texas. Pittman's weight still prevented him from doing basic drills in practice, which caused various back and knee aches. He dedicated himself to a workout program with Wright including 5:30 a.m. workouts and a complete revamp of his diet. Pittman agreed to call Wright before every meal to evaluate his choices. Pittman later characterized the workout regimen as being so tough that "I wanted to cry and say, 'Man, I want to give up'". Since losing almost 100 pounds, he has become an icon for admirers, like Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, who heard about his weight loss.

Pittman was selected with the 32nd overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft by the Miami Heat. On July 16, 2010, he signed a multi-year deal with the Heat. On November 26, 2010, Pittman was assigned to the Sioux Falls Skyforce. On December 18, 2010, he was recalled by the Heat. On January 6, 2011, he was reassigned to the Skyforce. He was selected to the 2011 NBA D-League All-Star game. Pittman made his NBA debut on April 1, 2011, against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Heat made it to the 2011 NBA Finals but lost to the Dallas Mavericks in six games.

On April 13, 2012, Pittman scored a career high 16 points in a 105–82 win against the Charlotte Bobcats. In Game 5 of the 2012 Conference semi-finals against the Indiana Pacers, he was assessed a flagrant foul after he came across the lane and used his forearm to hit Lance Stephenson of the Pacers with 19.4 seconds left in the game. Pittman was later suspended for three games due to the incident. The Heat advanced to the 2012 NBA Finals and won the series against Oklahoma City Thunder in five games, giving Pittman his first championship.

During the 2012–13 season, Pittman was assigned multiple times to the Skyforce. On February 21, 2013, the Heat traded Pittman and a second round pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for a trade exception and the rights to Ricky Sanchez. On April 14, 2013, he was waived by the Grizzlies.