Heat installs new head on Dwyane Wade statue after criticism

The Miami Heat released photos on Oct. 30, 2026, of a new head on Dwyane Wade's statue outside Kaseya Center. The original 8-foot statue, unveiled Oct. 27, 2024, marks Wade's March 9, 2009 double-overtime game-winner against the Bulls and his "This is my house" scorer's-table celebration. Omri Amrany and Oscar Leon of Rotblatt Amrany Studio sculpted the original and the Chicago-made replacement head, installed over two days behind a plywood box and color-matched to the statue. In a Substack essay, Wade said he heard the jokes and saw the memes. He had defended the piece as an artistic version of a moment rather than a likeness, then agreed to changes so fans would feel the emotion of that night. He said he hopes people see a better likeness of him and see themselves, adding it may be his likeness but will always be our house. Amrany and Leon said full-scale viewing in its permanent setting showed ways to strengthen the portrait and that Wade's importance warranted refinements. Rolling Out reported more than 800 hours went into the original, including 16 with Wade, and the Heat began the revision process more than a year earlier.