Dwyane Wade’s legacy as a Miami Heat legend was solidified Sunday with the unveiling of an eight-foot statue outside the Kaseya Center.
Wade becomes the first player in franchise history to be honored with a statue, which commemorates his iconic “This is my house” celebration from the double-overtime victory against the Chicago Bulls in 2009.
The 42-year-old played 16 seasons in the NBA, earning 13 All-Star selections before retiring in 2019. He ranks first in Heat history for points, assists, and games played, and is one of only two players to have been part of all three championship teams. Wade’s remarkable career also led to his induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
“That’s crazy. I can’t believe that. Who is that guy?” Wade remarked after the statue’s unveiling.
However, many fans echoed his surprise, questioning the statue’s likeness. Some compared it to the infamous bust of Cristiano Ronaldo unveiled at Madeira Airport in 2017. One Instagram commenter claimed the statue resembled Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus from “The Matrix” more than Wade.
Despite the mixed reviews, Wade appeared in awe during his speech. “This is crazy,” he said. “I wanted to feel this. Life goes by so fast, and it’s rare that we get to appreciate moments because we’re always moving on to the next thing.”
The two-day celebration of Wade will continue Monday night when the Heat host the Detroit Pistons.
