January 17, 2024

Miami Heat To Honor Dwyane Wade With Statue

The legendary Wade will be the first player in Heat history to have a bronze statue in front of the Kaseya Center.

Perhaps the most recognizable and important Miami Heat player in franchise history will be the first athlete to have a statue in front of the team’s arena.

According to NBA.com, less than a year after being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, retired Heat legend Dwyane Wade will have a bronze statue erected in front of the Kaseya Center, the Heat’s home arena.

During a ceremony honoring Wade, Heat president Pat Riley, Wae’s former coach, announced to Wade and the world that the statue will be unveiled next year.

Pat Riley surprises D-Wade with the announcement of a statue coming outside the Kaseya Center ⚡️

Wade will be the first statue in Miami Heat franchise history. pic.twitter.com/ZxsvsjwGKH

— NBA (@NBA) January 15, 2024

“When we retired his jersey in February 2020, I said Dwyane was the face of this franchise forever, and I meant it,” said Riley in a written statement. “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.”

According to the team, the unveiling will take place in fall 2024; no exact date is scheduled right now. Wade, who retired in 2019, had his jersey retired by the Heat the following year.

He played the majority of his career in Miami except when he left after objecting to the Heat’s contract, which he felt was inadequate after winning three championships for the franchise. He played one year for his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls, before reuniting with former Heat teammate LeBron James with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He returned to Miami to finish out his legendary career.

In all, Wade won three NBA championships, took home an NBA Finals MVP, and was a 13-time All-Star.. He also won a gold and bronze medal with Team USA in the Summer Olympics.