When Dwyane Wade stepped out onto the front of Kaseya Center on Sunday, all eyes were on the 3x NBA champion. But the excitement quickly turned to disappointment as fans got their first glimpse of the new statue honoring Wade’s legacy – a bronze likeness that bore little resemblance to the basketball legend himself. However, the letdown from the statue unveiling was short-lived, as Wade has managed to turn the attention back to himself.

Just less than 24 hours after the statue snafu, the Hall of Famer broke out his Instagram page to debut his new line of sneakers: a line with Chinese sportswear brand, Li-Ning, that is poised to shake up the basketball shoe market. “To the city that shaped me and all my fans around the world, welcome to the next chapter of my journey, the Li-Ning Way of Wade 11 ‘Statue,’ where innovation meets legacy,” read a part of the caption of the post.

The new “Way of Wade” collection marks a major milestone for Wade, who famously left his endorsement deal with Jordan Brand back in 2012 in favor of a reported $10 million contract with Li-Ning. At the time the move was seen as a major risk with many questioning whether Wade could build the same kind of shoe empire away from the Jordan juggernaut. “This was something I needed to do from the standpoint of building something. That’s what I set out to do. This word we all talk about, legacy, I tried to set out to build a legacy for myself and my family. And after six years of that, it’s cool to be here today,” Wade said, via the Associated Press.

The Li-Ning Way of Wade 11 ‘Statue’ shoe is based on the Way of Wade 11 sneakers which was released back in June of the year. The USP of every Dwyane Wade shoe is its storytelling. When the Way of Wade 11 was released, it was quite understandable that why it stood out from the rest of his releases. The radial design of golden & white geometry is an abstract re-take of Wade’s logo, while the glossy underpinnings contain a topographic print, or at least that’s what it presents as at first glance.

Additionally, the shroud-like leather layer that runs from quarter to quarter through the toe-box, is emphasized by an extended midsole EVA frame. “This release is more than a celebration; it’s a reminder that dreams start somewhere, and Dwyane Wade’s began in Miami. Step into the future of basketball with a shoe that honors his legacy, fuels your present, and propels you toward tomorrow’s triumphs,” read the caption.

Wade’s bold move to leave Jordan Brand was certainly a risk, but it’s clear now that it was a calculated one. By partnering with a hungry, up-and-coming brand like Li-Ning, Wade has carved out his own lane in the crowded sneaker market. However, what’s the history of Wade’s shoes?

The history of Dwyane Wade’s sneakers

Dwyane Wade has left an indelible mark on the sport, and his signature sneakers are a testament to his iconic career. His journey began with Converse, where he had a successful run with the Converse Wade line. Although the shoe brand hadn’t seen much traction in the previous years of NBA, they decided to go with Wade as the foreman of ‘The First School’ movement which started after Nike had acquired it.

However, even after success with Wade 1 release, the Wade 2  and Wade 3 failed miserably. Moreover, the former NBA player refused to wear the Wade 4 due to it discomfort issues which ultimately resulted in a controversy and the 3x Champion eventually moved to sign a deal with the Jordan brand in 2009.

He began the 2009 season rocking player edition versions of various retro Jordans. By February 2010, Wade was featured in an iconic ad with MJ showcasing the all-new Air Jordan 2010 and marking the first time in Air Jordan history that its namesake was not the face of the campaign. However, the stint with Jordan was also short-lived.

In 2012, Wade surprised everyone and as mentioned before signed an eight-year, $10 Million contract with Chinese brand Li-Ning, which also made him chief brand officer in 2012 and established his own Way of Wade subsidiary brand. As Wade’s career progressed, so did his signature sneakers. Each new model represented a different chapter in his journey, from his early days as a rising star to his later years as a seasoned veteran.