Dwyane Wade is now the first Miami Heat player to have a statue outside the team’s arena – but following the unveiling, many took to social media claiming the statue doesn’t suit him. didn’t look like it at all.
The Heat unveiled the statue Sunday, about eight months after team president Pat Riley announced plans for the tribute. Wade, who played 13 seasons with the Heat, from 2003 to 2016, is Miami’s all-time leading scorer. Wade left for one season with the Chicago Bulls, followed by a season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, before returning to Miami for his final season in the NBA.
An in-game celebration will follow Monday when Miami hosts Detroit on the 21st anniversary of Wade’s first game with the franchise.
Wade was clearly stunned by the statue, remarking, “It’s crazy.” I can’t believe this. Who is this guy? just moments after he first saw it. After taking his place on the podium in front of the statue, he turned several times to admire the massive version of himself with a smile on his face.
But on the Internet, fans asked themselves the same question, noting that the face of the statue did not really resemble the great basketball player.
D-Wade: “Who is this guy?”
We’re all wondering the same thing man lol https://t.co/n9cJWk51uV pic.twitter.com/CFKKfBwn2t
– Oh no, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) October 27, 2024
It’s Wayne Dade. https://t.co/HwN5VXdY94
– HORSE (@HORSE_hoops) October 27, 2024
The Miami Heat has nothing to do with the Dwayne Wade statue!?
Is this one of the worst statues of all time? @PatCostello20 pic.twitter.com/rhkYD5T5C5
– UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) October 28, 2024
Dwayne Wade statue looks like he ate too much green salad and scrambled eggs pic.twitter.com/pZVZCIoCB2
– Internet killed the video store (@xthevideostorex) October 27, 2024
Dwayne Wade statue looks like he ate too much green salad and scrambled eggs pic.twitter.com/pZVZCIoCB2
– Internet killed the video store (@xthevideostorex) October 27, 2024
“The Miami Heat should have had a contest where they showed this photo to 1,000 fans – and anyone who guesses it’s Dwyane Wade would keep the statue,” said ESP reporter Jeff Darlington on X, the former platform known as Twitter.
Asked at a news conference Sunday about the moment he saw the statue, Wade said he thought, “This is beautiful.”
“I think it’s one of the best statues that has been created because of what it represents to us and to me,” he said.
Wade, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, is one of six former Heat players whose numbers have been retired by the team – along with Haslem, Chris Bosh, Tim Hardaway, Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Mourning.
“As the greatest player in Miami Heat history, yes, it’s his day, it’s his family’s day,” Riley said.
The statue is accompanied by a wall listing Wade’s professional accomplishments and was placed in front of the team’s arena entrance gates. Wade is now a co-owner of the Utah Jazz in addition to having numerous other business interests.
