Zaya Wade Hails Dad Dwyane Wade As 'One Of My Best Friends' In Sweet HOF Tribute

Zaya Wade takes immense pride in having Dwyane Wade as her father.

After coming out as trans in 2019, she discovered her strongest supporters in the former professional athlete and his wife Gabrielle Union. So it was no surprise that she had a few tear-jerking words for the NBA player after he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Taking to her Instagram page, the 16-year-old shared a 10-slide carousel that showcased the tight bond between the father-daughter duo. The heartwarming black and white snap featured the pair holding each other close in a tight embrace.

The following slide featured her stepmother, actress Gabrielle Union, half-sister Kaavia James, and the honoree posing for pictures on the red carpet. The upload included a video of Dwayne holding his two daughters' hands as they walked in a small hallway. 

The budding fashionista also added more black-and-white pictures of herself and older brother Zaire being enveloped in their father's arms. In the caption, Zaya expressed heartfelt sentiments towards the 41-year-old, writing:

"My dad is a Hall of Famer ? I've never been more proud in my life to know someone as kind, loving, and accepting as he is. He is one of my best friends. I love you, dad ??."

The retired Miami Heat icon emotionally responded to the sweet words with the emojis "???❤️❤️❤️." Others followed suit, filling up the comments with heart and teary-eyed emojis.

One follower simply wrote, "Made me Cry," while another stated, "This is everything Z ❤️ bless." A third netizen described it as an "epic weekend," and a fourth enthusiastically called them a "Gorgeous Family." 

Apart from Zaya's words, Dwayne's speech was also a highlight of the night. He spoke about his love for the game and his gratitude for all the people who helped him along the way. 

The 13-time NBA All-Star also made sure to thank his family, his friends, and his fans for their support. He also made a special acknowledgment to his wife, saying," "And my wife Gab, would you please stand. Thank you for making our house a home." 

He expressed gratitude for her efforts in ensuring their children's well-being in his absence. "Thank you for learning every ref's name in the NBA and for screaming at them so I didn't have to — saved a lot of fine money," "The Cube" host joked. 

Dwyane acknowledged his upcoming absence on their anniversary due to work commitments, adding, "so I want to thank you for being on this journey with me for the past 15 years. Grateful for your embrace of my flaws just as much as our moments of perfection. I love you."

Speaking at the annual Creative Artists Agency (CAA) Amplify Summit, the father-of-four opened up about his path to comprehending and supporting his daughter's transgender identity. 

Recalling the significant moment when she came out, the former Cleveland Cavaliers star shared that he had mentally prepared for this conversation since she was just three. The NBA Finals MVP shared:

"So I came home, and I just remember my child being scared to talk to me, like hiding in my wife's arm in a chair. I think I'm this dad that's like, 'Hey, come and tell me anything! I'm a cool dad.' And it was fear in my child's face to tell me." 

This made him reflect on his actions, leading Dwayne to ask himself why his child was afraid to confide in him. He realized he might have been projecting his fears onto his child, a common trait among many parents. 

The All-NBA Third Team further stated, "So I had to go look myself in the mirror and ask myself… What is it about my masculinity that has my child afraid?" 

In conclusion, the Conference USA Player of the Year revealed that communication and the "education that needed to happen" were the key factors that resolved the situation. 

Zaya's understanding of the subject also empowered her to take ownership of her identity, fostering better communication with her father and enhancing his listening skills.