Heat honors Dwyane Wade by unveiling statue outside arena

The Miami Heat unveiled a statue of franchise legend Dwyane Wade outside the Kaseya Center on Sunday.

Wade is the first player in franchise history to be honored with a statue. Last year, he became the first Heat draft pick to earn induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

"I didn't play for this," Wade said during a speech after the statue was unveiled. "I didn't pick up a basketball for this. I picked up a basketball to change my family's life. ... I could not have written this script any better."

Wade led the Heat to the 2006 NBA title when he was named Finals MVP. He also teamed with LeBron James and Chris Bosh to win the 2012 and 2013 titles.

The fifth overall pick in 2003 out of Marquette, Wade played 14-plus seasons over two stints with Miami. The 13-time All-Star is the club's all-time leader with 21,556 points, 5,310 assists and 1,492 steals.

Wade, 42, had his No. 3 jersey retired by the Heat in 2020.

--Field Level Media/Reuters