Dwyane Wade Statue Unveiled in Miami but Fans Question Likeness

Published: 10/28/2024, 11:25:53 PM EDT

Dwyane Wade Statue Unveiled in Miami but Fans Question Likeness — Former Miami Heat NBA basketball player Dwyane Wade (L) looks at a bronze statue of himself during a statue unveiling ceremony outside the Kaseya Center in Miami, Fla., on Oct. 27, 2024. (Michael Laughlin/AP Photo)

The Miami Heat honored their amazing shooting guard Dwyane Wade with a statue of the basketball legend outside the Kaseya Center in Florida.

The Miami NBA Team unveiled the statue on Sunday, roughly eight months after team president Pat Riley announced plans for the tribute.

“This is crazy,” Wade said after the statue was unveiled, saying he didn’t prepare much of a statement.

“I wanted to feel this. Life goes by so fast, and it's very rare that we get to feel things, because we're always off to the next thing ... I wanted to feel this, man. I wanted to look at it.”

Former Miami Heat NBA basketball player Dwyane Wade (C) arrives at his statue unveiling ceremony outside Kaseya Center in Miami, Fla., on Oct. 27, 2024. (Michael Laughlin/AP Photo) — Former Miami Heat NBA basketball player Dwyane Wade (C) arrives at his statue unveiling ceremony outside Kaseya Center in Miami, Fla., on Oct. 27, 2024. Michael Laughlin/AP Photo

After the unveiling ceremony, Wade called himself “one of the luckiest men in the world,” as he spoke about his motivations and ambitions as a young person.

“I didn’t pick up the basketball for this,” he said. “I picked up the basketball to change my family’s life.”

“When you’re growing up, when you’re young, people don’t believe in you; they don’t believe in your dreams,” he said, as he went on to list his achievements: making it to the NBA, winning three NBA championships, making 13 all-star appearances, being admitted to the hall of fame, and now, having his own statue.

“You think someone was gonna tell me that was gonna happen?” he said, as the crowd erupted in cheers. “No one is gonna just believe in your dream, unless they see you working, towards that dream, and that belief.”

Fans' Dislike

The statue was designed by Timeless Creations’ Omri Amrany and Oscar León.

Amrany, who describes himself as “a mostly self-taught artist,” has been commissioned statues of famous sports figures since 1994. His portfolio includes statues of iconic athletes such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabar.

His most recent works include Ice-Hockey stars Mike Modano and Dustin Brown, and Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders.

Wade beamed when the statue was unveiled. “That’s crazy. I can’t believe that—Who’s that guy?” he quipped, as he marveled at the statue towering above him.

Former Miami Heat NBA basketball player Dwyane Wade looks at a bronze statue in his image during its unveiling ceremony outside Kaseya Center in Miami, Fla., on Oct. 27, 2024. (Michael Laughlin/AP Photo) — Former Miami Heat NBA basketball player Dwyane Wade looks at a bronze statue in his image during its unveiling ceremony outside Kaseya Center in Miami, Fla., on Oct. 27, 2024. Michael Laughlin/AP Photo

However, fans seemed less impressed, with many commenting that the statue failed to capture their idol’s liking.

“On behalf of all NBA fans around the world,” someone wrote on X, “That statue has to be redone. Wade 100 deserves better.”

Others were more explicit in their criticism, comparing the statue to the carbonized Han Solo of Star Wars, and the often ridiculed bust of soccer-legend Cristiano Ronaldo.

At a news conference Sunday Wade dispelled the doubts surrounding his “Who’s that?” comment, calling it a “beautiful” piece of work.

“I think it’s one of the best statues that’s been created because of what it represents for us and for me,” he said.

Wade played 13 seasons with the Heat, from 2003 to 2016, followed by one season with the Chicago Bulls and one with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He then returned to Miami for his final season in the NBA.

Wade was part of the team that took gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and a bronze medal at the Athens Games in 2004.