Dwayne Wade.Photo:Megan Briggs/Getty
Megan Briggs/Getty
“I didn’t dream of this,” Wade said, choking back tears after the surprise announcement. “I’m just so grateful. I can’t wait for that day. I’m excited.”
Dwayne Wade.Amy Sussman/Getty
Amy Sussman/Getty
Former Heat head coach Pat Riley surprised Wade during the ceremony at center court and revealed the news that Miami plans to put an 8-ft. statue in front of the stadium later this fall.
“We wanted to make sure it was bigger thanShaquille O’Neal,” Riley, 78, laughed.
Riley coached Wade and O’Neal to the team’s first NBA Championship in 2006. Wade went on to win two more championships in Miami alongsideLeBron Jamesin 2012 and 2013.Wade, a 13-time NBA All-Star, played most of his 16-year career with Miami outside of two brief seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers and his hometown Chicago Bulls.
Wade leads the Heat franchise in almost every major category, including games played (948) and points scored (21,556).
“I was born and raised in Chicago, but this is where I grew up,” Wade said. “From 21 years old ‘til 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.”
Dwayne Wade.Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty
Miami’s current roster, which includes Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, stayed on the bench to watch the ceremony for Wade. After the announcement, Wade hugged family members as the crowd chanted: “MVP! MVP!”
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“It means everything to me,” he said, adding, “I’m just super, super thankful to be able to go into the Hall of Fame knowing I have so much love and so much support from my village of people.”
source: people.com
