Miami Heat revises Dwyane Wade statue after mockery

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 21:20 · Archive

The Miami Heat has redesigned the face of a Dwyane Wade statue that was widely ridiculed for not resembling the basketball star.

The Miami Heat has redesigned the face of its Dwyane Wade statue outside Kaseya Center after the sculpture drew widespread ridicule since its unveiling in October 2024. The original bronze statue, which depicted Wade celebrating a 2009 game-winning shot against the Chicago Bulls, had a square face and large jaw that barely resembled the basketball star beyond wearing a No.3 Heat jersey.

The updated statue now bears a striking resemblance to Wade, the franchise's record holder in games played with 948 and points scored with 21,556. The statue had been hidden beneath a plywood box in recent days while enhancements were made.

Wade, 44, acknowledged the revision on the Substack platform, saying he had asked himself 'a pretty simple question: if people don't feel that connection when they look at the face, why wouldn't we try to make it better?' He added that the team and everyone involved had 'agreed to make adjustments to the head.' Wade was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023 and was named to the NBA's 75th anniversary team in 2021.

How it is being reported

• Heat change face on original Dwyane Wade statueAfter the original Dwyane Wade statue was mocked for looking little like the NBA superstar, the statue's face has been upgraded to honour the 13-time All Star.Perth Now · 30 Oct, 21:06
• Heat change face on original Dwyane Wade statueAfter the original Dwyane Wade statue was mocked for looking little like the NBA superstar, the statue's face has been upgraded to honour the 13-time All Star.The West Australian · 30 Oct, 21:06

In this story: Dwyane Wade · Miami Heat · Chicago Bulls · Kaseya Center

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