Dwyane Wade to Be 1st Heat Player to Be Honored with Statue Outside of Kaseya Center

Miami Heat legend Dwayne Wade is set to be immortalized outside the team's home arena.

The Heat retired his number Sunday night and honored his Hall of Fame career. In addition to the planned celebration, Heat president Pat Riley announced that he would become the first player in franchise history to have a statue outside of the Kaseya Center.

The statue is set to be unveiled in fall of 2024 and Wade expressed his excitement in the opportunity to have an impact on kids like the one Michael Jordan had in Chicago impacted him.

"When Michael Jordan had a statue in Chicago that was the first one I've ever seen," Jordan said during a press conference. "To be at this point of my life where I know the same feeling I had will be the same feeling kids will have to create memories in front of this arena."

Wade spent 15 seasons with the Heat, helping the team win three NBA championships. Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh led the Heat to four straight NBA Finals appearances from 2011 to 2014, winning two titles in the process.

He averaged 22.7 points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds in a Heat uniform and was named to the All-Star team 13 times.

The Heat invested the 5th pick in Wade in 2003 and his impact on the team was immeasurable. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in the Class of 2023 and now will have his number hoisted in the rafters of the arena in addition to his bronze statue outside.