Miami Heat Commission Eight-Foot Statue Of Dwyane Wade For Kaseya Center

Miami Heat president Pat Riley unveiled the commencement of a project to build an eight-foot-tall bronze statue to further honor Heat legend Dwyane Wade during a halftime ceremony in their 104-87 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.

The Heat commissioned sculptors Omri Amrany and Oscar Leon to create the statue. Amrany has previously contributed to statues of other NBA legends, including Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, Shaquille O’Neil and others.

“When we retired his jersey in February 2020, I said Dwyane was the face of this franchise forever and I meant it,” Riley said in his statement. “Dwayne’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, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in August 2023, spent 15 of his 16 years in the NBA in Miami. Some of his accomplishments include three NBA championships, one NBA Finals MVP, 13 all-star selections, multiple All-NBA first and second-team selections, 19 Player of the Week awards, six Player of the Month awards, a gold and bronze medals with team USA, one yearly Community Assist award and one Magic Johnson award.

In addition to all of his material success, Wade attributes a major portion of his growth as a person to the city of Miami.

“I was born and raised in Chicago, but this is where I grew up,” Wade said. “From 21 years old till 37, I grew up here. A lot of the fan base, they grew up with me. There’s no love like Miami love, and every time I come back here I feel that.”

The statue itself will be outside the Kaseya Center and open to the public in the fall of this year.

“I can’t wait for families… to come and have a moment of the culture that will be out front,” Wade said.

No one will ever wear the number three jersey for the Heat again. In the fall of 2024, Heat fans who come to the Kaseya Center will know why.

Article by Nathan Weick

USports writing intern and second year student-athlete at Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA pursuing BA in Professional Writing and BA in Spanish/Hispanic Cultures. Juniata College Mens Soccer Captain and former president of the Juniata College Class of 2026.