Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning sure seems like a swell dude. He’s been in the NBA since 1992, made a comeback after a kidney transplant in 2003, and according to WIKIPEDIA, he’s “traveled to various supermarket venues ready to autograph basketballs of many sick children.” (Mourning has also blown $25 grand supporting the Democratic Party in 2004. That hardly makes him swell, but it’s fun to think that he has that kind of dough to throw away.)

His latest act of kindness includes visiting Sarah Wiseman, thought to be the galaxy’s oldest Heat fan. Wiseman, you see, just celebrated her 102nd birthday at the Miami Jewish Home and Hospital at Douglas Gardens, and Mourning made an appearance.

Apparently, Wiseman has been a Heat supporter since the team came to Miami in 1988 (she was a sprightly 81 at the time) and has seldom missed a game in 20 years:

“I didn’t think (the party) would be that elaborate,” she said.” I thought I would shake hands with the well-wishers and that would be it. Oh, yes (I will remember this forever).”

Members of the HEAT Entertainment Team, including Burnie, the HEAT Dancers, and Inferno from the Xtreme Team were also in attendance to provide entertainment. Among the gifts presented by Mourning was a No. 33 HEAT jersey with the birthday girl’s last name stitched on the back. He also led in the singing of “Happy Birthday.”

One of the awesome things about being 102 is that forever isn’t that long, so I tend to believe that Wiseman really will remember this, well, forever.

To reward her unwavering support, Mourning is giving Wiseman two front-row seats to a Heat game. “If she’s supported us this long, I think she deserves a front-row seat to a game,” he said. And when not trying to woo her with gifts, Mourning was working on his rap: “She’s alert, very aware of her surroundings,” he said. “It’s amazing. She looks great. I told her she doesn’t look a day over 50.”

It’s not very often that telling a woman she only looks like she’s been around for a half-century is complimentary. This would be the exception, I think.