The Miami Heat have set a date to honor one of the greatest players in franchise history during the 2024-25 NBA season.
The Heat have had many legends suit up for the franchise over the years. And while not all of them have been honored after their time in Miami, this retired star will have his contributions to the team on full display.
“When we retired his jersey in February 2020, I said Dwyane (Wade) was the face of this franchise forever and I meant it,” Heat president Pat Riley stated in January. “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.”
Wade not only leads this franchise in nearly every statistical category, but he brought multiple championships to the city of Miami. A jersey hung in the rafters is an honor of its own, but the Heat opted to take it one step further by displaying a statue of the star outside of Miami’s Kaseya Center.
The unveiling of the statue will take place during a two-day ceremony dedicated to the Marquette product’s contributions on Oct. 27 and 28. Omri Amrany and Oscar Leon of Rotblatt Amrany Studio received the privilege to create this statue of Wade following his prior creations of the “Black Mamba” statue in Los Angeles honoring Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianni, as well as the “Michael Jordan Spirit” statue in Chicago.
The celebration will include a performance from another Miami legend, rapper Rick Ross. In addition, Wade will be in attendance for the team’s home game against the Pistons on Oct. 28. and will address the team and their fans at halftime.
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