A 'football town' no more? In Miami, a basketball renaissance is under way

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade celebrates after being fouled while shooting during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, in Miami. Wade scored 30 points as the Heat won 107-97. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (The Associated Press)

Miami Heat's LeBron James, left, and Dwyane Wade attend an NCAA college basketball game between Miami and North Carolina on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, in Coral Gables, Fla. Miami won 87-61. (AP Photo/El Nuevo Herald, David Santiago) MAGS OUT (The Associated Press)

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the reigning NBA champions. One of the hottest teams in NCAA basketball. The leading women's scorer in the country.

All in one city.

Welcome to Miami.

When the Heat won the NBA title, team radio announcer Mike Inglis excitedly shouted that Miami was "the center of the basketball universe." These days, it seems like that statement has never been more true. The Heat are sitting atop the Eastern Conference, Miami's men's team has made a brilliant climb to No. 3 in the nation, and FIU junior Jerica Coley is well on her way to finishing the year atop the NCAA women's scoring charts.

Wade says, "a lot of good things are happening in Miami."