Here’s a fun stat: the last 5 NBA MVPs are all foreign-born players. Before that, it was 3 of the last 70. It speaks to the inclusion of an international flavor but also the skill level of athletes coming in from outside. While exact arguments are valid, some combination of Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid are among the league’s top 5 best players. But, for the longest time, that skill gap wasn’t important. In fact, it was a minor caveat. As a result, names like Dwyane Wade came into the league expecting foreign-born players to be “soft”.

However, as he details himself, the Miami Heat legend was in for a rude awakening.

Dwyane Wade was in for a shocker

Speaking to SKWEEK, Wade was in conversation with his fellow Hall of Fame draft class. Between Spanish and Los Angeles Lakers legend Pau Gasol, and the?Fiery Francophile Tony Parker, this draft class is a clear sign of the impact of foreign talent on basketball. Flash?spoke about his own shock at finding out the reality. “It’s just a perception that he can’t…He can’t be better than me. But, from a basketball standpoint, that was the thought. Oh, international players are soft…Then I played international basketball. I got my ass kicked.”

“Oh no, they are skilled. Actually, the game is a little tougher. Actually, our game is a little softer,” admitted the 3-time NBA Champion.

With each passing year, Wade’s comments get truer. This year, there was no doubt about the Number 1 overall draft pick. It was the French sensation Victor Wembanyama. Joel Embiid just won his first MVP, and the US side was an embarrassment at the FIBA World Cup.

Read More: NBA Legend Calls Dwyane Wade a More ?Skilled? Shooting Guard Than Michael Jordan in Big Praise for LeBron James

Previously, superstars like Luka Doncic among others even caught a lot of flack for speaking about the international level of play. Now, with a bona fide legend and Hall of Famer like Dwyane Wade chipping in, it could bring about a radical change to the mindset.

Wade’s International history

Of course, the former number 5 overall pick has a rich history with international superstars. Right after coming into the league, Dwyane was a part of the 2004 Olympics team that suffered an embarrassing end to their campaign.

But, he was able to rewrite that mistake in his second Olympic outing in 2008 as part of the Redeem Team. Similarly, his first ring came against the best player to come out of Germany; Dirk Nowitzki. Of course, Dirk and the Mavericks were able to get one back, defeating the Miami Big 3 that featured LeBron James, with a big pay cut, in 2011.

All this to say that Wade has first-hand knowledge of the proficiency of the international-born talent in the league. Moreover, his other Finals loss, in 2014, saw a San Antonio Spurs team led by Tony Parker make their mark.

With his own experiences, coupled with the obvious results in the last few seasons, Wade’s words hold more merit than ever before. The real question is: can the USA bounce back?

Watch This Story: Unveiling 21YO Son’s One Crucial Obsession, Dwyane Wade Drops Life Advice For Aspiring Young Kids