Dwyane Wade doubles down on his stance over changing his daughter's name and gender: "Zaya should not be forced to put her life on hold"
Dwyane Wade had a legendary career on the basketball court that will culminate with him winding up in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Off the court, the Miami Heat legend has four children, one of whom is looking to legally change their name and gender.
Wade's ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches, has opposed the legal proceedings, claiming the 13-time All-Star may be pushing their child into such a move for his own business benefits. Wade recently doubled down on his support, stating in a court document obtained by Radar Online:
"Zaya to live her truth, allowing Zaya to take on the milestones of being a young adult with confidence and joy, and to ensure that those moments are not clouded by the self-doubt that comes from checking a box or signing a name that does not reflect her identity."
Wade targeted his ex-wife directly, adding:
"It is not about Siohvaughn or Dwyane or their prior marriage; it is about what Zaya wants and what is in her best interest... Zaya should not be forced to put her life on hold while she waits for Siohvaughn to acknowledge and accept her truth."
Both Wade and Funches will have to wait for the judge's ruling on their court filings. If the case is allowed to proceed, it is unclear if it will take place in California or Illinois.
Watch Dwyane Wade's career highlights below:
When is Dwyane Wade eligible for the NBA Hall of Fame?
Dwyane Wade had an illustrious career that led to him being honored as a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. The three-time NBA champion averaged 22.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field across 16 seasons.
The Miami Heat legend was named to 13 All-Star teams, eight All-NBA teams, and three All-Defensive teams. Wade's combination of stats, accolades, and team accomplishments will likely ensure he is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Wade will debut on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2023, in what could be a very stacked class. In addition to Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, and Tony Parker also figure, and deserve, to be first-ballot Hall of Famers.
All three players had legendary careers while playing a major role on title-winning teams. Furthermore, they were all instrumental in the expansion of basketball in their native countries of Germany, Spain, and France, respectively. Nowitzki, Gasol, and Parker possess the three-highest win shares of any European-born basketball players.
Watch Dwyane Wade's best career dunks below: