The Miami Heat unveiled an updated version of Dwyane Wade’s statue outside Kaseya Center on Friday, featuring revised facial features to more closely resemble the retired NBA superstar. The changes follow widespread public criticism of the original sculpture’s likeness when it was first revealed in October 2024.
The statue’s redesign was completed by the original sculptors, Omri Amrany and Oscar León, who acknowledged that the permanent placement of the piece revealed opportunities to improve Wade’s likeness. The adjustments primarily focus on the eyes, nose, and mouth, with the updated version now bearing a stronger resemblance to Wade, according to comparisons of the two versions.
Wade, a three-time NBA champion and 13-time All-Star who spent 15 seasons with the Heat, initially praised the original statue during its unveiling. In a Substack essay published Friday, he reflected on the public reaction, writing, “I heard the jokes. I saw the memes. I read the reactions. Everybody had an opinion about whether it actually looked like me.” He noted that while he initially felt protective of the sculpture, he ultimately concluded that the statue belonged to Miami and that ensuring a stronger connection to his likeness was the right step.
The original statue was intended to commemorate Wade’s iconic 2009 moment when he jumped onto the scorer’s table after a game-winning shot against the Chicago Bulls and declared, “This is my house!” The tribute marked the first Heat player honored with a statue outside the team’s arena.
The Heat organization confirmed the updates in a statement, emphasizing the significance of Wade’s legacy and the importance of accurately representing his likeness. The sculptors, in a statement to The Athletic, explained that seeing the finished sculpture in its permanent location prompted the decision to refine the design.
Wade remains the Heat’s all-time leading scorer and is widely regarded as one of the franchise’s greatest players. The updated statue now stands as a revised tribute to his career and legacy.