Shane Battier leads All Star Battioke with Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley
How does Shane Battier prepare for his annual Battioke charity event?
“Beer,” announced the former Miami Heat star before hitting the stage for a rendition of “Give Me Everything” with spot-on Pitbull impersonator, Mr. 786. “A lot of beer. Liquid courage!”
Battier, who raises money with a little help from his famous friends for his Take Charge foundation, which helps send kids to college with scholarships, did his very best to entertain.
OK, so it’s obvious the Michigan native’s talents lie in basketball and not in singing.
Good times. Thanks to all who made Battioke a huge success! Yes. This my best Jennifer Grey impersonation. #swayze https://t.co/TiAziM7vKV
— Shane Battier (@ShaneBattier) September 23, 2016
“I know, I know. I can’t carry a tune to save my life,” laughed Battier Thursday night from Ball and Chain restaurant. “That’s what my wife [Heidi] says. She tells me to shut it!”
Speaking of basketball: Though he no longer plays, the 38-year-old did say he keeps up with the sport. “My 8-year-old is getting pretty good,” said the athlete, who played with the Heat from 2011-2014. “He’s really tall. We shoot hoops together.”
This just happened. @ShaneBattier and @TheJaxShow at #battioke. pic.twitter.com/6aeaz6apkX
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) September 23, 2016
Among the famous karaokers at the Little Havana hotspot: Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who braved the stage with his new wife Nikki Sapp. They did a duet from Grease: “You’re The One that I Want.”
Big boss Pat Riley was also there, lending his support by performing Bruce Springsteen’s “The Rising,” with Shane and Heat exec Andy Elisburg (epic!).
Battier really brought the curtain down so to speak when he and Battioke emcee/Heat courtside reporter Jason Jackson tore it up during “Dirty Dancing” anthem “(I’ve Had) the Time of My Life” clad in full drag and blonde wig. The former forward kept the pink dress on for the rest of the evening. That’s the spirit!
The only bummer: Chris Bosh, who was expected, was unable to attend, and it may have been due to a medical issue. On Friday, Miami Herald reported that doctors found more evidence of blood clotting, believed to be in the All Star’s lung.
This story was originally published September 23, 2016 at 3:13 PM with the headline "Shane Battier leads All Star Battioke with Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley."