Shane Battier joins Heat as development and analytics director

The Miami Heat have brought one of their former players back into the fold, this time in a front-office role.

Shane Battier will join the organization as director of basketball development and analytics, the Heat announced Thursday. Battier, who famously adhered to analytic principles as a player, spent the final three seasons of his career in Miami, winning championships in 2012 and 2013.

"We believe Shane is an incredible example of our Heat program, not only for the present, but also for the future," team president Pat Riley said in a statement. "He embodies everything that we are looking for in our players and staff. We feel he will help us tremendously with his experience and knowledge of the game. Shane is an out-of-the-box thinker and will bring a fresh expertise that can help us evolve as a franchise."

"I am thrilled to be joining the front office of the Miami Heat," said Battier. "I look forward to working with the Arison family, learning from a Hall of Fame executive in Pat Riley, general manager Andy Elisburg, and of course my old coach, Erik Spoelstra. My goal, as is the entire organization's, is to bring another championship back to Miami."

Battier played 977 regular-season games and 112 playoff games in his 13-year career, split between the Heat, Houston Rockets, and Memphis Grizzlies. He was twice named to the All-Defensive second team, and won the NBA's Teammate of the Year Award - voted on by players - in 2013-14, his final season in the league.