From Miami Heat to the Senate?

Miami Heat forward Shane Battier said he was asked about running for the Senate in Michigan.

{mosads}The 35-year-old Michigan native, who is likely nearing the end of his NBA career, says he was approached by the Michigan Democratic Party to run for retiring Sen. Carl Levin’s seat.

“Battier is nearing retirement now, and he can no longer shoot, dribble, or defend like he once did. The Michigan Democratic Party recently called him to see if he might consider running to replace U.S. Senator Carl Levin, Battier said. He declined, but he’s closer to retirement than he is to the player who helped Miami unlock its identity,” Grantland writes.

Michigan Democrats coalesced months ago around Rep. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and a spokesman for the party categorically denied that anyone in an official role with the party had asked Battier about running.

“Like many fans of basketball and politics, we were surprised to hear Shane Battier mentioned for the first time this afternoon as a possible candidate for U.S. Senate. Michigan Democrats are united behind a great candidate in Congressman Gary Peters, and we wish Battier the best in his impending retirement from professional basketball,” said Michigan Democratic Party spokesman Josh Pugh.