Dwyane Wade Celebrates Entering Hall Of Fame With Heartfelt Post

Dwyane Wade has always been a player who has let his basketball speak for itself. A well-regarded figure both on and off the court, Wade truly left his mark on the NBA. During a 16-year career, Wade was a three-time champion, and 13-time All-Star. Wade is also 32nd on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, with 23,165 career points. He is perhaps best remembered for his role in the “Big Three” alongside Chris Bosh and Lebron James. Wade was seen as a no-doubt first-ballot Hall of Famer upon his retirement. However, Wade remained active in basketball following his retirement, buying a minority sh in the Utah Jazz in 2021. Wade went as far as to call then-Jazz star Donovan Mitchell “Dwyane Wade 2.0”.

Wade was officially named a Hall of Famer last week. However, he also has the distinction of being part of one of the all-time greatest Hall of Fame classes. Wade enters the Hall alongside legends such as Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Gregg Popovich, and Becky Hammon. Other inductees included the late Jim Valvano and the 1976 Women’s Olympic Basketball Team. There are few single-year Hall of Fame classes that truly compete with those entering the Hall this year.

“Basketball Heaven”

Wade celebrated his induction on Instagram, posting a bevy of photos with the simple caption “I’m both humbled and honored to have made it to basketball heaven.” The photos he included see Wade embracing his collegiate coach Shaka Smart; posing with Julius Erving; sharing a laugh with Gasol, Parker, and Nowitzski; and finally, a picture posing with Magic Johnson. The collection showcased the full scope of Dwyane Wade’s career, from his time at Marquette to his dominance in the NBA. Marquette retired Wade’s number 3 jersey in 2006. The Heat retired the same number in 2020.

Wade’s simple but heartfelt message has garnered nearly 96,000 likes, speaking to the immense popularity of one of modern basketball’s brightest stars. Fans across social media offered their congratulations to Wade upon his official announcement on April 1. Wade, alongside his fellow 2023 classmates, will be officially inducted into the Hall during the weekend of August 11th. Let us know what you think of his induction, in the comments down below.

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Zaya Wade Says She’s A “Microphone” For Trans Youth

The last few years have been a whirlwind for Zaya Wade, and she’s only 15 years old. The teen is the daughter and stepdaughter of Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, respectively, and she’s grown up in the spotlight—albeit not everyone has been supportive. The Wades shared that Zaya was transitioning when she was just 12, and it didn’t take long for critics to jump in. Zaya received a warm welcome from her LGBTQIA peers, especially those within the transgender community, and her family has been firmly standing by her side.

As Zaya gets older, she recognizes the significant impact of her visibility. “It means to me that I’m a microphone,” she told Dazed during an interview for her cover feature. “I am my own person and I have my own experiences, but for me, as a role model, I try to use my personal experience to broadcast the positives and also the negatives in life, because a lot of LGBTQ+ youth go unrecognized in every way. I think I am here to share those experiences: to voice them, but also to enhance them. So the world can know, ‘We are here, we are queer, we are here to stay, and we aren’t going anywhere.’”

Zaya Wade Speaks On Strong Support System

At every turn, Dwyane and Gabrielle have vocalized their avid support of their daughter. The world can be a cruel place, and the Wades have experienced that firsthand. People have written think-pieces about the teen and have called her vicious names because of her transition. The negativity has only strengthened Zaya’s resolve, but it has caused her to remain cautious. She told Dazed she has to filter her social media to keep her mental health intact.

“There are some highs and some lows,” said the model and activist. “I mean, a lot of attention equals a lot more hate, a lot of transphobia, and [there is] a lot of pressure on me, but I’m also able to reach more people. The positives of having such an inclusive platform completely outweigh all of the negativity online, which my support system has enabled me to filter out. It has allowed me to let in the positivity and distribute it to all of the trans people in the world who need a voice and give them a platform to get inspired to live with themselves without being afraid.”

Answering Questions From Young Fans

During her interview, Zaya also answered a few questions written by admirers. One person wanted to know what advice she had for other trans kids. “You’re not alone! There are so many people out there. I wish I knew that as a kid because I felt so isolated, thinking there was no one else like me,” she said. “And the percentage of trans adults versus trans children is such a wide difference. [When you’re] a child at school you’re like, ‘I’m trans, and I don’t see many trans people, so I feel isolated, I feel different from anyone.’”

“But that is not the only community,” Zaya further stated. “There are thousands of communities waiting [for you], and the trans community is forever growing. Even if you can’t have direct contact with them, just seeing their experience is so accessible because of social media. Other people can inspire you.” Check out more from Zaya Wade’s photoshoot with Dazed magazine above.

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Dwyane Wade Dedicates NAACP Award To Daughter Zaya: ‘All I’ve Wanted To Do Was Get It Right’

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Over the weekend Dwyane Wade and his wife Gabrielle Union received the prestigious Presidents Award from the NAACP at the 54th annual Image Awards.

Both gave moving speeches advocating for the Black LGBTQIA community

“I am intentional when I use my platform. I recognize what I have been given and it is my job to uplift the voices of others and share my access and resources,” Wade said.

Wade opened the speech by dedicating the award to his 15-year-old daughter, Zaya, who is transgender.

“Zaya, as your father, all I’ve wanted to do is get it right. I’ve sat back and watched how gracefully you’ve taken on the public scrutiny and, even though it’s not easy, I’ve watched you walk out of that house every morning as yourself,” Wade said.

The retired NBA star thanked his daughter for showing him “that there is more than just one way to communicate effectively.”
“You’ve taught me that communication with my mouth isn’t enough. I have to also communicate with my two ears and my two eyes,” Wade said.

Gabrielle joined by saying, “A new era that demands our collective answer to one simple question: Will we fight for some or will we fight for all of our people?” Even as we demand equality at the top of our lungs, we consistently fail to extend our advocacy to protect some of our most vulnerable among us.”

To an emotional crowd, Wade ended his speech saying that he was “proud to be chosen” as Zaya’s father.

“Zaya, you’ve made me a better human just simply by being who you were born to be, a baby girl, Zaya Wade,” he said. “So baby thank you for showing the world what courage looks like.”

Watch the full speech below.

The post Dwyane Wade Dedicates NAACP Award To Daughter Zaya: ‘All I’ve Wanted To Do Was Get It Right’ appeared first on The Source.

Gabrielle Union & Dwyane Wade Share Pics For Zaya’s Winter Formal

Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union have shared photos of their daughter, Zaya, prior to her winter formal. The 15-year-old rocked a sparkling white gown for the high school dance.

“Supporting each other for life’s big moments is key. All the nerves, all the anxiety, all the fear… With loved ones by your side, no matter the challenge, we 10 toes down. Always,” Union, who is Zaya’s stepmother, captioned the family’s post.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 16:(L-R) Zaya Wade, Gabrielle Union, Kaavia James Union Wade and Dwyane Wade attend the World Premiere of “Cheaper By the Dozen” at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 16, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)

As for Zaya’s birth mother, Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, she’s been locked in a legal battle with the family for months. Funches-Wade claims that Wade forced their daughter to undergo gender reassignment surgery for financial gain.

Wade previously responded to the accusations in an Instagram post, back in November.

“Since this must be the new way of parenting, I guess I have to address these allegations here, which is a damn shame,” he wrote, before adding, “While I’m on a life-changing trip in our motherland, Africa, I’ve received a social media post about me forcing out 15 year old child to be someone she’s not and to do something against her will. There are serious and harmful allegations that have hurt our children.”

Appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show back in 2020, Wade discussed his support for his daughter’s gender identity as well as being an ally to the LBGTQ+ community.

“We take our roles and our responsibility as parents very seriously,” Wade said at the time. “When a child comes home with a question, when a child comes home with an issue, when a child comes home with anything, it’s our job as parents to listen to that, to give them the best information that we can, the best feedback that we can — and that doesn’t change because sexuality’s now involved in it.”

Check out Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union’s post for Zaya below.

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Dwyane Wade Dances To Drake’s “BackOutsideBoyz” On 41st Birthday

Dwyane Wade celebrated his 41st birthday on Tuesday and was spotted dancing to Drake’s “BackOutsideBoyz.” Additionally, his daughters Kaavia James and Zaya wished him a happy birthday on social media.

In the viral clip, Wade exits his car and begins dancing to the Her Loss track.

MIAMI, FL – JUNE 17: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat reacts in the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the 2012 NBA Finals on June 17, 2012 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Drake dropped Her Loss with 21 Savage back in November 2022. The album later debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

As for his daughters, both posted separate messages on Instagram in honor of their father’s special day.

“Happy birthday, Daddy,” Kaavia James says during a video posted from her account on Instagram.

The four-year-old further said, “I know you’re going to have a great birthday, we’re going to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to you tomorrow, and it looks like you’re very happy to see me today. I’ll see you tomorrow, but not see you, just see you on your phone, okay? Okay, bye!”

“Happy Birthday to my Daddy!!! May this year be as strong and bountiful as your hairline,” the caption reads.

15-year-old Zaya wrote to Wade in a post of her own: “Happy birthday,” she said, before adding, “Dad I hope you have an amazing day. I love you so much.”

Wade’s wife, Gabrielle Union, also wished the former NBA star a happy birthday on social media.

“The EVOLUTION will be televised,” she captioned a photo of the two of them. “Another year around the sun and more lessons learned and more adventures had. May this year bring peace to your soul and light to your inner child. I love you baby, Happy Birthday!”

Check out Dwyane Wade dancing to Drake on his birthday below.

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Gabrielle Union Admits She Cheated On 1st Husband, Chris Howard

Gabrielle Union says she and her ex-husband, Chris Howard, used to cheat on each other during their marriage. Speaking with Dax Shepard on his Armchair Expert podcast, Union reflected on her behavior at the time.

She began by describing the marriage as “such a stupid relationship that should never have gotten out of the dating phase.”

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 18: Gabrielle Union attends “America’s Got Talent” Season 14 Finale Red Carpet at Dolby Theatre on September 18, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

“I definitely was not getting Wife of the Year Awards,” Union added. “In our first marriage, neither one of us felt like the marriage should get in the way of our dating.”

Union also stated they she felt “entitled” to cheat on her first husband.

“I felt that that’s what comes, the spoils of riches,” she said. “Like my dad before me, whoever has the most gets to do whatever the hell they want, is what I thought.”

From there, Union explained that she and Howard would go back and forth cheating on one another. They eventually sought couples’ counseling, where an expert pointed out that they had nothing in common.

Union admitted that she was “horny for validation and having certain kinds of guys like me and want me. That made me feel like I was worthy and good and valuable and deserving.”

Union ended up separating from Howard in 2005.

As for her current marriage with Dwyane Wade, she says things are different. However, she admitted that “initially, it wasn’t different.” Despite the rough start, they did “inner work” to heal themselves and came back together stronger.

“We randomly came back around as more healed people and more open to understanding our complicity in some of the challenges that we created for ourselves,” she said.

Union concluded: “Now we’re both free and we are free to choose ourselves and free to choose each other every day, which is a completely different sentiment.”

Union and Wade married back in 2014.

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LeBron James Reacts To Dwyane Wade’s Latest Achievement

LeBron James has had some amazing teammates throughout the last 20 years. Of course, his most famous is Dwyane Wade. These two played four seasons together on the Miami Heat. Overall, they made four-straight Finals all while securing two titles.

Wade has three NBA titles to his name while LeBron has four. There is no doubt that they are one of the greatest duos to ever do it. Furthermore, they are both future Hall of Famers. This is especially true now that Wade is a finalist for the 2023 class.

LeBron James #23 and Dwyane Wade #9 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up before the game against the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center on February 6, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Cavaliers 116 to 98. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)

LeBron James x D-Wade

Wade is part of a potential class that includes the likes of Tony Parker, Gregg Popovich, Pau Gasol, and Dirk Nowitzki. It is very likely that all of these men become first-ballot Hall of Famers. It would be an amazing honor and one that Wade certainly deserves.

Consequently, LeBron James seems to feel the exact same way. After the news broke on social media, LeBron took to Twitter with a message for his friend. “Congrats to my brother @DwyaneWade on being on the eligible candidate HOF list!! I mean he ain’t no candidate, he’s IN!!!!! Hahaha!” he wrote.

LeBron is absolutely right about this. Wade is one of the best shooting guards to ever play the game. Overall, it would be an injustice for him to not be a first-ballot Hall of Fame player. After all, there are plenty of other first-ballot guys who ended up doing less than him.

Let us know what you think of Wade’s Hall of Fame chances, in the comments below. Also, beneath this post, you will find some of LeBron and D-Wade’s best plays as teammates. After watching, perhaps your opinion will be swayed.

As always, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sneaker world.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Wade, Dirk, Popovich Among First-Time Nominees for Basketball Hall of Fame

Wade, Dirk, Popovich Among First-Time Nominees for Basketball Hall of Fame

The Basketball Hall of Fame is getting ready to induct a new class and has announced a run of basketball royalty as first-time nominees. Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Gregg Popovich, Tony Parker, and Pau Gasol will all be on the ballot.

“It will be an unbelievable moment, really,” Nowitzki said to ESPN. “I mean, to top everything that has happened here the last couple years and words and accolades that have come my way, that will be the ultimate … to be enshrined, hopefully, with the greatest in our game ever.”

The finalists will be announced at NBA All-Star weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Feb. 17.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Wade, Dirk, Popovich Among First-Time Nominees for Basketball Hall of Fame appeared first on The Source.

Dwyane Wade & Dirk Nowitzki Headline Stacked Hall Of Fame Candidate Class

Dwyane Wade is considered to be one of the best shooting guards to ever play the game. As a member of the Miami Heat, he was able to win three championships. One of those titles came against Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks. However, Nowitzki got him back in 2011 as Dirk won his first and only title.

Overall, Nowitzki and Wade are two legends who came up in the same era. They had some epic battles together, and they retired in the same year. Their farewell tours were something to remember, and now, they could possibly go into the Hall of Fame together.

Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks drives as Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat looks to steal the ball in the third quarter of game one of the 2006 NBA Finals on June 8, 2006 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Hall Of Fame Shortlist: Dwyane Wade, Nowitzki, & More

According to ClutchPoints, Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade are being considered as First Ballot Hall of Famers for the 2023 HOF class. There are some other massive names here, including Gregg Popovich, Tony Parker, and Pau Gasol.

All five of these men deserve to be in the Hall of Fame, which makes this latest class extremely stacked. However, these men will only know if they’ve made it as of April 1st of next year. If they do make it, the induction ceremony will be on August 12th.

Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs talks with his player Tony Parker #9 against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter during Game One of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoff at ORACLE Arena on April 14, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Popovich is an interesting case as he is still currently coaching. Regardless, he is a legend that definitely deserves his spot. Hopefully, the Hall of Fame committee feels the same way.

Subsequently, let us know who you think deserves to make the Hall of Fame, in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the sports world.

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Dwyane Wade Says He Blocks Daughter Zaya’s Comments “For Mental Health & Privacy”

Dwyane Wade takes much pride in being a dad. The father of four is never shy about publicly defending and protecting his cubs. When it comes to daughter, Zaya Wade, the 3-time NBA Champion pulls all the stops to make sure she feels safe and secure as she navigates her gender journey. 

Last month, Wade filed a court motion to legally change 15-year old Zaya’s gender and name from Zion Malachi Airamis Wade to Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade. The Miami Heat legend filed court docs, stating that he has “full authority” to file the petition without the consent of Zaya’s mother, Siohvaughn Funches. The courts however did send Funches a courtesy notice of Wade’s petition. 

Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union, Zaya Wade

The 15-year old recent made headlines after showing off her new long, flowing tresses in a Tiffany & Co. campaign. She shared the stunning pics to her Instagram story, writing, “Dreams become reality.” While both celebs and fans gushed over the photo on social media, many noticed that some of the comments under Zaya’s pic had been blocked. After one fan questioned the Wade family’s decision to limit her comment section, D. Wade hopped on to Twitter to explain. 

“For Zaya’s mental health and privacy we’ve decided not to allow the hate into her comments, “ he tweeted. The NBA legend added, “Thank you for wanting to spread and send her love.” The heartwarming tweet comes just days after the 40-year old dad gushed over his daughter’s model-esque Tiffany & Co. photos by flooding the comment section with heart-eye emojis. 

Wade also shared back in June that he fears for his daughter’s life, sharing at a summit, “As blessed as it is for my daughter to have parents who can support her, I’m still afraid every moment she leaves the house. And not just because of gun violence, but because of the way people perceive her in this world.”

Share your thoughts below.