Alonzo Mourning

Alonzo Mourning, Alonzo Mourning, busy with the Summer Groove that wraps up with an all-star game, earned raves for his role during the Heat's recruitment of free agents.Former Miami Heat player and current Vice President of Player Programs and Development Alonzo Mourning smiles inside the American Airlines Arena Friday, July 9, 2010, in Miami, for a welcome to Miami celebration for Chris Bosh and LeBron James, who will be joining Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade for the upcoming season.

ALEXIA FODERE

* Photo

*

SUMMER GROOVE

What: Summer Groove all-star game.

When/where: 1 p.m. Sunday; AmericanAirlines Arena.

Players expected to compete: Dwyane Wade, Alonzo Mourning, Aaron Afflalo, Brandon Bass, Caron Butler, Daequan Cook, Samuel Dalembert, Tim Hardaway, Mike James, Ty Lawson, Darius Miles, Mo Peterson, Rajon Rondo, DaJuan Summers, C.J. Watson and Dorell Wright.

Tickets: Available at Ticketmaster.

BY BARRY JACKSON

bjackson@MiamiHerald.com

When Alonzo Mourning co-hosts his annual charity all-star basketball game Sunday at AmericanAirlines Arena, it will cap a frenetic two weeks of philanthropy and free agent recruiting for the former All-Star center.

Before shifting his attention to the past week's Summer Groove activities, Mourning traveled with team president Pat Riley, coach Erik Spoelstra and other Heat officials to meet with multiple free agents, including LeBron James.

It was the highest-profile assignment for Mourning since he accepted a job last summer as the Heat's vice president of player programs and development.

And Mourning apparently left an impression.

One agent of a top free agent who met with the Heat raved about how commanding and impressive Mourning was behind closed doors, as he discussed basketball, life and his charitable foundation.

"It was a team effort," Mourning said of the Heat's recruitment of players that culminated in Riley's dream scenario: joining Dwyane Wade with James and Chris Bosh.

"We all gave the best presentation possible in hopes that guys would respond and we could build a team. I think we did a pretty good job. The one thing everybody spoke on more than anything was being part of a family, and that resonated with everybody."

Riley's ability to inspire the top free agents to want to play here also left an impression on Mourning.

"Pat is always impressive," Mourning said. "He's been impressive his whole career. When we made our presentations, it wasn't any different.

"If you think back all these years, Pat prepared and prepared and prepared and created the cap room. It was a matter of taking a leap of faith, making the presentations and hoping that guys bought into what we were offering."

Mourning's satisfaction about what the Heat achieved this summer extends beyond the court.

"It's an absolute boost for the community," said Mourning, whose charitable foundation has raised more than $7 million since 1997.

"The whole city got more juice. It will have a huge economic impact on the city."

The Heat and Summer Groove officials announced Friday that Mourning and Wade ― who co-host the Groove ― will play in Sunday's game, though Mourning said in a radio interview earlier in the week that he would not.

Others scheduled to play: Aaron Afflalo, Brandon Bass, Caron Butler, Daequan Cook, Samuel Dalembert, Tim Hardaway, Mike James, Ty Lawson, Darius Miles, Mo Peterson, Rajon Rondo, DaJuan Summers, C.J. Watson and Dorell Wright.

Tip-off has been moved to1 p.m., about 5 ? hours earlier than past years.

Tickets range from $5 to $60 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com. Grammy-nominated Flo Rida will perform at halftime.

Also, a free block party will be held at the arena from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.