MIAMI – With the Miami Heat completing their first day of training camp Tuesday, and continuing throughout the week ahead of Saturday's preseason opener against the Toronto, many players are looking to fine-tune their craft before the start of the season. One of them is the Heat's young guard Pelle Larsson after signing a $60 million contract extension a week ago, as he gets the endorsement of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

After a standout sophomore season for Larsson, averaging 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 49.6 percent from the field, he earned himself the four-year, $60 million extension from Miami. Looking to increase his role on the Heat in his third season with open opportunity after the trade of Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kasparas Jakucionis, Antetokounmpo is impressed with the 25-year-old.

Speaking on Monday's media day, Antetokounmpo highlighted some players that impressed him, with Larsson being one, as the two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) had an NSFW claim about him.

“Pelle [Larsson] is f***ing good, sorry for my language, he's effin good, and I didn't know,” Antetokounmpo said. “I did not know. He works hard also, has a great attitude and approach towards the game.”

Giannis on if anybody on the roster has surprised him thus far. Loves the whole team, but emphasized Davion Mitchell and Pelle Larsson:

“Pelle is f***ing good, sorry for my language” #Heat pic.twitter.com/8b2t0O2w6v

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) September 28, 2026

Heat's Erik Spoelstra on Pelle Larsson's contract extension

Selected with the 44th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Larsson gave the Heat defensive intensity from the get-go to go along with an impressive physicality on offense, especially when driving downhill to the paint. It came together in his second season, seeing an uptick in usage, even as head coach Erik Spoelstra put him in the starting lineup 54 times last season, as he spoke about being happy for Larsson when he received the extension.

“Well, he's relentless, so he's going to make you make decisions. That's not just for the head coach; it's also the front office,” Spoelstra said Monday to ClutchPoints. “He has that type of tenacity. That's why he's been such a winning player where it's been tough to keep him off the floor. Whatever that role will be, I'm sure he's going to continue to impose his will on me, on the game, and you're happy for a guy when he gets rewarded like that because we think it's well earned, and he's not going to stop.”

“The way this team is built, I think fits his competitive spirit and his nature, and I think bringing out an even better version,” Spoelstra continued. “He had a tremendous off-season. He was in our gym working out extremely hard, but then what he did for his national team was notable. I went and saw them play last year, and that is not easy. It's not easy to do what he did and put a team on his back and also share in their success. I think he'll be able to build off that.”

Asked Erik Spoelstra about Pelle Larsson’s offseason and him getting the contract extension:

“When he gets rewarded like that because we think it's well earned, and he's not going to stop. He had a tremendous off season…what he did for his national team was notable…” #Heat pic.twitter.com/nVt3EyqNXg

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) September 28, 2026

Heat's Pelle Larsson on representing Sweden this past summer

As Spoelstra alluded to, Larsson took part to help the Sweden national team qualify for the 2027 FIBA World Cup, having played in four games, as he stood out in a huge way.

He was Sweden's offensive engine, averaging 26 points per game on 42.9 percent from the field, telling ClutchPoints after the first day of training camp on Tuesday that it gave him “confidence.”

Article Continues Below

“Yeah, I mean we played four games trying to qualify for the World Cup next summer,” Larsson said at Florida Atlantic University. “And won three out of four against very good teams, and they gave me a big role, a big load offensively, and just to score and be that guy for them, and then obviously we were successful in that, but they still got a few more games to qualify, and that just gave me confidence and that I can do more outside what I've been doing and kind of implement that from time to time in my role here.”

Heat's Pelle Larsson reveals reaction to contract extension

Regarding the contract extension, which includes a mutual option for the 2030-31 season, Larsson expressed how “that trust means a lot” to him from the Heat.

“Means a lot just to keep calling Miami my home and wake up here every day with a smile on my face, come to work, walk among some legends in this building, and you know, be part of that for the longer future,” Larsson said to ClutchPoints Monday.

“I think I was pretty blank,” Larsson continued later about his reaction. “I mean, it was not until later, I think, really when I talked to my parents, that they kind of made me realize how crazy it is. I've been playing basketball for free for most of my whole life, so to have this now is insane.”

At any rate, Larsson looks to prepare for a pivotal third season in the NBA with a new-look Miami team with Antetokounmpo and others, as training camp throughout the week at FAU will be key in working toward their championship goals.