Ever since the Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny James as the 55th pick in the draft, there has been a lot of criticism toward the young player. Not just about him, the opinions also became loud regarding other second-generation players. But, Dwyane Wade has been standing behind them as a rock just as he stands behind his own children’s ventures. Recently, he defended the U17 boys’ team which won the FIBA trophy.

The Miami Heat legend reposted a two-month-old video, where the Instagram account D-Rich TV defended the U17 selection. “It’s a video of the Team USA 17-year-old boys’ basketball team that’s going viral because the team has some former NBA player, sons on the roster. And it’s people in the comments saying these are silver spoon-fed kids,” said D-Rich. The user also mentioned that it’s a new day and age in the game of basketball today.

He also stated that it’s no kid’s fault that their parents worked hard and can financially back them to flourish in the game of basketball. Dwyane Wade made his intentions clear on his Instagram story, “Nobody wanna be from the trenches.” Highlighting that it’s the kids’ hard work after all that makes them eligible for the selections.

The 2024 FIBA U17 men’s World Cup selection came under scrutiny, but the team won the title for the 7th consecutive time. Multiple second-generation players were on the team, including the Boozer twins. Two-time NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer’s twin sons — Cayden and Cameron. Plus, Tajh Ariza, the son of NBA champion Trevor Ariza, and Alijah Arenas, the son of three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas.

Not selected for the final roster were probably two of the most decorated NBA stars’ sons, Bryce, LeBron James‘ youngest son, and Kiyan, Carmelo Anthony‘s son, who did not make the final 19-man roster.

Melo reveals Dwyane Wade’s and LeBron James’ son’s impact on Kiyan

Dwyane Wade’s son, Zaire, skipped college to start his pro career in the NBA G League. But, later moved to the Basketball Africa League, and this year, he left the BAL to join the ASEAN Basketball League in April. Bronny, on the other hand, is part of the NBA team alongside his father as a teammate. But, he too had to face criticism after his not-so-great college career.

“Kiyan is the one that’s sitting back and being able to learn from those two right. It’s like, okay, I want to go this route I want to go that I don’t want to do this, I don’t 5 want to do that. So, we have an opportunity to really be strategic on how we move through this process,” Melo said on Meet the Afroballers podcast.

At the end of July, ESPN’s recruiting database revealed Kiyan Anthony to be #1 in the New York class of 2025. So, he is proving to everybody that he could be ready for the NBA in the upcoming years. And his selection is not only because of his family name, which Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony have tried to explain multiple times.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.