Barack Obama

The president also recognized the franchise’s work off the court. He thanked them for supporting military service members at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Obama said one of the things he’s proudest of is that many of the team members— including LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade— “take their roles as fathers seriously.”

“For all the young men out there who are looking up to them all the time, for them to see somebody who cares about their kids and is there for them day in and day out, that’s a good message to send,” Obama said.

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said the team hopefully will serve as an inspiration to the nation of what can be done “when you come together and sacrifice your egos for a greater goal” and “hard-hat work ethic.”

James, who presented Obama with an autographed basketball, said the team including members that hail from Illinois, Texas, Michigan, Ohio and South Dakota were honored to be in the executive mansion.

“We’re in the White House right now, which is like, like ‘mama I made it,’” James said, as the audience laughed and cheered.