Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra dating former Heat dancer Nikki Sapp

There aren’t that many bachelor head coaches in the NBA. Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra showed up to a fundraising event over the weekend with former Miami Heat dancer Nikki Sapp. Sapp joined the dance team in 2006 at the age of 18.

The notoriously private boyish 42-year-old stunned observers by stepping onto the red carpet of Heat broadcasters Eric Reid and Tony Fiorentino‘s yearly fundraiser with a beautiful, and much younger, brunette.

More than a few Miami Heat dancers have parlayed their time with the team into pop culture celebdom. “Basketball Wives,” Royce Reed, to “The Bachelor’s” Trista Rehn, plus a Pussycat Doll and WWE Diva, Layla El, all took the court on behalf of the Heat. Royce and Nikki were on the dance team at the same time, too.

If I had to pick a favorite dance team, they would be it. In some ways I can see them being compared with the 80’s Laker Girls. Paul Abdul launched her career there and changed the way NBA dance teams looked and performed.

photos via Miami Heat