Dwyane Wade Shares What Daughter Zaya Wade Has Taught Him About Fatherhood
Dwyane Wade believes his new and improved statue is a slam dunk.
Two years after the former NBA player’s Miami Heat bronze sculpture received backlash over how it portrayed his likeness, the team debuted the eight-foot tribute’s makeover and head piece—and Wade couldn’t help but poke fun at its new look.
While sharing photos of the refreshed statue—which stands outside the Kaseya Center in Miami—on his Instagram Oct. 30, Wade joked, “Ok ok ok there’s nothing wrong with getting a little work done!”
ICYMI, the Miami Heat first revealed the honor for the ex-shooting guard—who played on the NBA team for 15 seasons—in October 2024. The bronze statue—which marked the first tribute to Heat player—features Wade standing in his signature “This is my house” stance.
And though it was a notable tribute, fans called a major foul on how Wade’s head and facial features, specifically, were portrayed. After all, many questioned whether there was any resemblance to the athlete, with the criticism resulting in years of memes and jokes.
Deciding it was time for a replay, the Heat unveiled the statue’s fresh face Oct. 30, highlighting its “enhancements” alongside photos on X.
Though the majority of the tribute remained the same, the head’s transformation is having fans saying hoop, hoop, hooray.
And Wade couldn’t agree more.
In fact, the 44-year-old—who shares daughter Zaya, 19, and son Zaire, 24, with ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches, son Xavier, 12, with ex Aja Metoyer, as well as daughter Kaavia, 7, with wife Gabrielle Union—gave insight into what led to the changes in a Substack essay published Oct. 30, emphasizing that what matters most of all are the fans.
“This is the first statue ever to stand in front of that arena,” he wrote. “That means something to me, but it also means something to the city.”
Michael Mooney/USTA via Getty Images/Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images
“Miami deserves to feel proud of it,” Wade continued. “The 305 deserves to look at that statue and feel the same energy it felt that night. And the fans deserve to see themselves in that moment because their noise, their belief and their love were part of what made it possible.”
And after the team “listened” and “went back to work,” Wade hopes fans will be cheering on the new look—and its bigger meaning.
“I hope when people see it now, they see a better likeness of me,” he shared. “But more than that, I hope they see themselves. Because it may be my likeness, but it will always be our house.”
For a closer look at what's going on at his house, keep reading to see Wade's sweet moments with Union and their blended family.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
All in the Family
Dwyane Wade celebrated the final game in his NBA career with Gabrielle Union and their daughter Kaavia Wade in 2019. The Miami Heats player was also joined by his nephew Dahveon Morris, his kids Zaire Wade and Zaya Wade (with ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches) and son Xavier Wade (with ex Aja Metoyer) for the momentous occasion.
Instagram/Gabrielle Union
Perfect Match
Gabrielle and Dwyane proved they go together like peanut butter and jelly on Halloween 2023. Meanwhile, their daughter Kaavia dressed up as Cinderella.
Instagram/Gabrielle Union
Bring On the Silly
The Bring It On actress snapped silly selfies with Kaavia on Mother's Day 2023.
Instagram/Zaire Wade
Like Father, Like Son
Dwyane's oldest son Zaire captioned this 2022 photo of his dad holding up his Salt Lake City Stars jersey: "Leave a legacy."
Instagram/Gabrielle Union
Teenage Milestones
Dwyane and Gabby send Zaya, who the former NBA star shares with ex Siovaughn Funches, off to her school's winter formal in January 2023.
"Supporting each other for life’s big moments is key," the couple wrote in an Instagram post. "All the nerves, all the anxiety, all the fear… With loved ones by your side, no matter the challenge, we 10 toes down. Always."
Hair For It
"See @kaaviajames mama's got hair like yours," Gabrielle shared on Instagram in 2020. "When I took my braids out she was like... now mom & baby both rocking their natural curls."
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Red Carpet Pro
While attending the 2019 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards, the couple's daughter Kaavia made her award show debut. Spoiler alert: She was a total pro.
Instagram / Gabrielle Union
Clap Backs
After celebrating Thanksgiving as a family, Dwyane took to Twitter to slam Internet trolls who had some not-so-nice comments.
"I've seen some post-thanksgiving hate on social about my family photo," he shared online. "Stupidity is apart of this world we live in—so i get it. But here's the thing—I've been chosen to lead my family not y'all. So we will continue to be us and support each other with pride, love & a smile!"
Instagram/Gabrielle Union
Snuggle Season
Gabrielle rang in her 50th birthday in 2022 with snuggles from Dwyane and Kaavia.
Instagram/Gabrielle Union
Sweet 16
The couple are all smiles as they celebrate Zaya's 16th birthday in May 2023.
Best Dressed
When it was time to celebrate Halloween 2019, Gabrielle and Dwyane knew just the look to pull off with their baby girl.
Round 2
But wait, there's more! The proud parents also transformed into another theme with their daughter Zaya.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Kids Come First
Dwyane praised Zaya amid criticism from online trolls.
"First of all, if you want to talk about strength and courage, my 12-year-old has way more than I have," he shared on the All the Smoke podcast in 2019. "You can learn something from your kids. In my household, man, that's all we talk about. We talk about making sure our kids are seen by each of us, me and my wife, We talk about making sure our kids understand the power in their voice."
Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
Ultimate Defenders
After Gabrielle was fired from America's Got Talent in 2019, Dwyane absolutely had his wife's back. "'Men lie, Women lie, numbers don't,'" he shared on Twitter after the news broke. "Over this past year I've been approaching by many people saying that my wife @itsgabrielleu is the main reason they've started watching #AGT or that they love her insight and sincerity on the show."
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