![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1233751136.jpg?width=600)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 30: Dwayne Wade his son Zaire and daughter Kaavia attend a Los Angeles Sparks WNBA game on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 in Los Angeles, CA. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1233751136.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 30: Dwayne Wade his son Zaire and daughter Kaavia attend a Los Angeles Sparks WNBA game on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 in Los Angeles, CA. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Drafted in 2003 by the Miami Heat as the 5th pick overall, Dwyane Wade is a 3x NBA champion. Recently inducted into the Hall of Fame Class, ‘The Flash‘ has been in the news regularly. While his exploits on the court have been well-documented, his business off the court has earned him similar success. The 41-year-old shook the basketball world when he decided to go an unconventional route and signed with a Chinese sportswear brand back in 2012. Now, his son, Zaire, seems to be on a similar trajectory as the 21-year-old signed a huge $10 million deal with the same Chinese brand.
While Zaire has followed in the footsteps of his father by pursuing basketball as a career, the 21-year-old is yet to come close to an NBA deal. However, he looks set to carry forward his father’s legacy with this latest deal.
Dwyane Wade’s son signs a major contract
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While most of the biggest stars in the league have usually signed sneaker contracts with big names such as Nike and Adidas, Wade did things differently. The 13x NBA All-Star signed with Chinese powerhouse Li Ning for $10 million in 2012 after his contract with the Jordan Brand expired. After a few successful years, Wade signed a lifetime contract with Li Ning in 2018. And now, Wade’s son, Zaire, has put pen to paper, committing himself to the Chinese brand.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago169884762.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
via Imago
Dwyane Wade and Zaire Wade
Courtesy: Imago
NBA fans were in for an emotional rollercoaster as proud father Dwyane Wade posted on Instagram regarding Zaire’s $10 million deal. The caption on Wade’s post read, “Legacy, Congrats, welcome to your @wayofwade family—officially! #ProudPapa” to which Zaire Replied in the comments, “L3GACY“.
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The sneaker brand deal that the 21-year-old has officially signed is called the ‘Li-Ning Son of Wade’ While some fans in the comments section slammed the father-son duo for apparent nepotism, most people congratulated them. Former NBA stars Gilbert Arenas, Rip Hamilton, and Shawn Marion congratulated Wade with some fire emojis.
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The young Wade has been making a name for himself in the basketball world. The 6’3 guard will be hooping in his own signature silhouette for the Cape Town Tigers in the Basketball Africa League where he currently plays professionally.
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Zaire Wade’s professional career so far
Zaire Wade has always been under the spotlight because of his father, but that has not held him back from pursuing his dream of being a professional basketball player. In 2022, Zaire suffered an almost career-ending knee injury, which led to him being waved off by G League team Salt Lake City Stars.
However, the 21-year-old faced his demons head-on and officially signed for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) with South African side Cape Town Tigers earlier in 2023. The 6’3 guard is showing amazing potential on the court during his time with the Tigers and the NBA fans love his determination to succeed at such a young age.
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What are your thoughts on Zaire Wade’s brand deal? Let us know in the comments below!