Dwyane Wade To Be Honored By Miami Heat With Kaseya Center Statue
Dwyane Wade will be immortalized with a statue outside the Miami Heat’s Kaseya Center. According to ESPN, the team surprised their former star with the announcement on Sunday (Jan. 14).
The Heat organization held a ceremony to celebrate Wade’s career and contributions to the Southeast Division squad. Legendary basketball mind Pat Riley spearheaded the commemoration and echoed his previous sentiments, calling Wade the “forever” face of the franchise.
“When we retired his jersey in February 2020, I said Dwyane was the face of this franchise forever, and I meant it,” Riley told Wade and the roaring crowd. “Dwyane’s legacy is a towering one not only for the Miami Heat but for Miami-Wade County. I can’t think of a better way to honor him than by memorializing that legacy.”
Wade was visibility choked up over the gesture and fought back tears. The Chicago native expressed his gratitude to the Heat as he continued to fumble over his words. “I didn’t dream of this,” Wade said. “I’m very grateful.”
The outlet reports that the Heat will enlist sculptors Oscar Leon and Omri Amrany for the project. Amrany’s work is well known in sports as he is responsible for statues commemorating Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and Dirk Nowitzki. The 3-time NBA Championship winner’s statue will be unveiled in fall 2024.
The Heat previously retired D-Wade’s No. 3 jersey in 2020. The NBA then honored “The Flash” by being named to the league’s 75th Anniversary Team. Then, in 2023, the athlete was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Elsewhere, Wade is also set to donate $3 million to his alma mater, Marquette. ESPN reports that the athlete will give the university money over two decades. The school announced their former star’s generous gift as the WNBA owner attended Marquette’s game against Villanova on Monday (Jan. 15).
The $3 million award will finance Marquette’s summer reading program. Wade’s contribution will also help establish the Wade Scholars program for low-income students. Additionally, funds will help the university’s athletic program and create a new practice facility for Marquette’s men’s basketball team. The court will be named after Wade.
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