When the Miami Heat unveiled Dwyane Wade’s bronze statue outside the Kaseya Center on Sunday, the spotlight wasn’t just on the 13-time All-Star’s iconic pose or his championship legacy. While thousands gathered to witness history and celebrate Wade’s indelible mark on Miami basketball, a subtle detail on the statue shoes told a more intimate story of gratitude and loss that many might have missed at first glance.

According to an X post by Nick DePaula on X, the statue, capturing Wade’s signature pull-up jumper, bears more than just the names of his parents, Jolinda and Dwyane Sr. Etched alongside them is a poignant tribute: “RIP Hank” – a heartfelt remembrance of Henry Thomas, Wade’s former agent who passed away in 2018. More than just a business representative, Thomas was Wade’s guide, confidant, and father figure during his meteoric rise in the NBA.

Thomas, already a respected figure in NBA circles having represented Udonis Haslem and Chris Bosh, saw something special in the young guard from Chicago. But their connection transcended the typical agent-player dynamic. Thomas, affectionately known as ‘Hank,’ became Wade’s most trusted advisor, helping him navigate not just contract negotiations but life’s complexities both on and off the court.

Along with his role in helping Wade seal his historic 2010 free agency – the move that ultimately set off Miami’s ‘Big Three’ years with LeBron James and Chris Bosh– Thomas played a dominant part in many of Wade’s signature decisions during his prime. His influence was not confined to business dealings, but he was there at family get-togethers, enjoyed Wade’s highs, and helped sustain him through his lows, including a difficult tug-of-war for custody of his children.

Wade was devastated when Thomas died in 2018 and he took a leave of absence to play basketball for the Cleveland Cavaliers during which he was mourning the loss of the man he called his ‘second father.’ “I know— i know—i can hear your voice saying “Come on my man”you got this! I can picture your face and feel your hugs in so—so many moments in my life. Whether it’s you hugging me and saying how proud you are of me or congrats on winning a NBA championship or you hugging me and saying everything’s gonna be alright—we will get thru this… I love you Henry(Hank)Thomas—THANK YOU for loving me right back. Be at peace—We( your family)got this!!! Your son Dwyane!” penned Howard in an emotional Instagram post.

The statue stands 8 feet tall, is cast in bronze, and captures Wade’s iconic jump shot. Though the statue carries remarkable significance, we all know the hate the statue has been getting from the fans for its low resemblance to Wade. It seems like to cope with this problem, Wade has come up with a new announcement.

Dwyane Wade launching his new shoe

Dwyane Wade has launched a brand new footwear line inspired by his recent statue reveal in Miami. The ‘Way of Wade’ is a milestone product for Wade as he has worked very closely with Li-Ning to make a high-quality, stylish range of sneakers.

“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. 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,” wrote Wade in the Instagram caption of the post in which he made the announcement.

Li-Ning is Wade’s third stint with a shoe brand. He began his career by signing a six-year deal with Converse for $2.4 million. Next in line was the Jordan in 2009, which was followed by the $10 million Li-Ning deal in 2012 for eight years. It can be said that Wade is continuing to build his name as a successful entrepreneur and businessman with the release of his new footwear line.