Sports · Basketball · 1 hr ago
Heat update Dwyane Wade statue after criticism of its face
The Miami Heat have updated the face on Dwyane Wade’s statue outside the team’s arena in Miami.
The original statue was unveiled in 2024, but many people said its face did not look like Wade.
Wade said he heard the jokes and memes and agreed to have a new head made after conversations with those involved.
The revised face is meant to be a better likeness, while keeping the statue’s pose and the moment it commemorates.
The statue shows Wade celebrating after his winning shot against the Chicago Bulls in 2009, when he shouted, “This is my house.”
The changes respond to criticism of a tribute to a Heat great, who helped Miami win three NBA championships.
Wade said he hopes fans can see themselves in the statue as well as a closer likeness of him.
The Miami Heat unveiled an updated Dwyane Wade statue outside the Kaseya Center on Friday, with a revised face intended to look more like him.
Wade agreed to the changes after the statue’s original face drew widespread criticism and jokes following its 2024 unveiling.
The sculptors completed the work in the days before the reveal, while a plywood box concealed it from the public.
The statue depicts Wade celebrating a game-winning shot against the Chicago Bulls in 2009.
Wade said he hoped people would see both a better likeness of him and a shared symbol for Miami.
- Who
- The Miami Heat and Dwyane Wade. Sculptors updated the statue.
- What
- The Heat unveiled a revised face for Wade’s bronze statue.
- When
- Friday, October 30, 2026. The original statue was unveiled in 2024.
- Where
- Outside the Kaseya Center, where the Miami Heat play.
- Why
- Wade agreed to changes after criticism that the original face did not resemble him. He said the statue carries meaning for Miami fans.
Fans who criticized the original statue
Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat
The statue’s face
Fans who criticized the original statue
Critics said the original face bore little resemblance to Wade.
Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat
Wade said he initially viewed the statue as an artistic version of a moment, but agreed to adjustments to make the likeness better.
Response to criticism
Fans who criticized the original statue
Fans mocked the statue after its 2024 unveiling.
Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat
Wade said the team listened, held conversations and made changes without seeking to erase the original artists’ work.
Wade made a game-winning shot against the Chicago Bulls in double overtime, then stood on a courtside table and yelled, “This is my house.
The Heat unveiled the original statue outside their arena, and its face drew widespread criticism.
Sculptors completed work on the statue’s face, with a plywood box covering it from public view.
The Heat posted photos of the updated statue and unveiled its revised face.
- Location
- Outside the Kaseya Center in Miami
- Original unveiling
- 2024
- Statue subject
- Dwyane Wade, the Heat’s all-time leading scorer
- Wade’s championships with Miami
- 3 NBA championships
- Statue’s pose recalls
- Wade’s 2009 game-winning shot against the Chicago Bulls
- Update unveiled
- October 30, 2026
6 sources
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Dwyane Wade's notoriously bad statue outside Miami Heat's arena finally gets an upgrade after years of ridicule
Heat unveil updated Wade statue after original's face was panned
What people are saying
I hope when people see it now, they see a better likeness of me.
If people don't feel that connection when they look at the face, why wouldn't we try to make it better?
This isn't about erasing the work that was already done or disrespecting the artists who put their time and talent into creating it. It's about being willing to listen.
Posts on X
“It may be my likeness, but it will always be our house.” - @DwyaneWade A closer look at the enhancements to his statue.
It’s Miami. Many people have had a little work done. For example, Dwyane Wade’s statue has a new head — after two years of people wondering why the original didn’t look like him. (Photo courtesy of the Miami Heat)