Dwyane Wade Shares What Daughter Zaya Wade Has Taught Him About Fatherhood
Dwyane Wade‘s daughter makes fatherhood an easy slam dunk.
The former NBA star detailed how he’s inspired by his daughter Zaya Wade, who came out as transgender in 2020, sharing what she’s taught him about fatherhood.
“I think we are constantly learning from Zaya,” Dwyane exclusively told E! News at the second annual Translatable ball, which he attended with his wife Gabrielle Union, May 30. “I always talk about her courage. We all think we have courage until that moment presents.”
“Zaya has just shown us an incredible understanding of courage and what it looks like to feel safe and feel protected,” he continued. “All the things that we all want and all strive for, that we all are working hard to find, to see her understand that she has it and to really blossom and bloom in it, it gives you hope.”
And while the former Miami Heat shooting guard—who launched Translatable, a non-profit organization to create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth, with his daughter—is considered one of the best NBA players of all time, he believes the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
“I always say if she [were] me and she played basketball, she’d be one of the greatest athletes ever,” Dwyane explained, “because she has that mentality and that understanding of what you need to do.”
And the dad of five stressed that he’ll always be Zaya’s number one cheerleader, saying, “I’m a fan of my daughter.”
In addition to sharing Zaya, 19, and son Zaire, 24, with ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches, Dwyane, 44, is also dad to son Xavier, 12, with ex Aja Metoyer, along with daughter Kaavia, 7, with Gabrielle. He’s also a legal guardian to his nephew, Dahveon, 21.
And ahead of Father’s Day, the professional athlete is reflecting on his fatherhood journey.
“As a dad, I just want to get to know all my kids as they are and who they are and knowing that they all are different,” he explained. “And knowing that Dad’s going to show up and he’s going to listen. He’s going to learn. He’s going to love you.”
“As long as I have that all the time, then it’s always Father’s Day for me,” he added. “I just want to do everything I can to provide, be a stable voice and person in their lives and hopefully inspire.”
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Revolve
And after Zaya came out publicly as transgender, Dwyane has done just that—publicly expressing his love and support for his daughter, while also continuing to educate himself along the way.
Indeed, the Utah Jazz co-owner previously emphasized that creating a community for Zaya was his immediate priority after she shared her identity.
“For me, it just started, first and foremost, with love and acceptance at home, really building that community around my child,” he told Them.Us in 2024. “And in the midst of building that community in our home, and in our family, and in our friend group around Zaya, we watched the child—and we’re still watching—elevate in life. We’re watching a child have child success, in all the ways, because of that community.”
For a closer look into Dwyane and Gabrielle’s best family moments, keep reading…
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
All in the Family
Dwyane Wade celebrated the final game in his NBA career with Gabrielle Union and their daughter Kaavia Wade in 2019. The Miami Heats player was also joined by his nephew Dahveon Morris, his kids Zaire Wade and Zaya Wade (with ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches) and son Xavier Wade (with ex Aja Metoyer) for the momentous occasion.
Instagram/Gabrielle Union
Perfect Match
Gabrielle and Dwyane proved they go together like peanut butter and jelly on Halloween 2023. Meanwhile, their daughter Kaavia dressed up as Cinderella.
Instagram/Gabrielle Union
Bring On the Silly
The Bring It On actress snapped silly selfies with Kaavia on Mother’s Day 2023.
Instagram/Zaire Wade
Like Father, Like Son
Dwyane’s oldest son Zaire captioned this 2022 photo of his dad holding up his Salt Lake City Stars jersey: “Leave a legacy.”
Instagram/Gabrielle Union
Teenage Milestones
Dwyane and Gabby send Zaya, who the former NBA star shares with ex Siovaughn Funches, off to her school’s winter formal in January 2023.
“Supporting each other for life’s big moments is key,” the couple wrote in an Instagram post. “All the nerves, all the anxiety, all the fear… With loved ones by your side, no matter the challenge, we 10 toes down. Always.”
Hair For It
“See @kaaviajames mama’s got hair like yours,” Gabrielle shared on Instagram in 2020. “When I took my braids out she was like… now mom & baby both rocking their natural curls.”
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Red Carpet Pro
While attending the 2019 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards, the couple’s daughter Kaavia made her award show debut. Spoiler alert: She was a total pro.
Instagram / Gabrielle Union
Clap Backs
After celebrating Thanksgiving as a family, Dwyane took to Twitter to slam Internet trolls who had some not-so-nice comments.
“I’ve seen some post-thanksgiving hate on social about my family photo,” he shared online. “Stupidity is apart of this world we live in—so i get it. But here’s the thing—I’ve been chosen to lead my family not y’all. So we will continue to be us and support each other with pride, love & a smile!”
Instagram/Gabrielle Union
Snuggle Season
Gabrielle rang in her 50th birthday in 2022 with snuggles from Dwyane and Kaavia.
Instagram/Gabrielle Union
Sweet 16
The couple are all smiles as they celebrate Zaya’s 16th birthday in May 2023.
Best Dressed
When it was time to celebrate Halloween 2019, Gabrielle and Dwyane knew just the look to pull off with their baby girl.
Round 2
But wait, there’s more! The proud parents also transformed into another theme with their daughter Zaya.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Kids Come First
Dwyane praised Zaya amid criticism from online trolls.
“First of all, if you want to talk about strength and courage, my 12-year-old has way more than I have,” he shared on the All the Smoke podcast in 2019. “You can learn something from your kids. In my household, man, that’s all we talk about. We talk about making sure our kids are seen by each of us, me and my wife, We talk about making sure our kids understand the power in their voice.”
Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
Ultimate Defenders
After Gabrielle was fired from America’s Got Talent in 2019, Dwyane absolutely had his wife’s back. “‘Men lie, Women lie, numbers don’t,'” he shared on Twitter after the news broke. “Over this past year I’ve been approaching by many people saying that my wife @itsgabrielleu is the main reason they’ve started watching #AGT or that they love her insight and sincerity on the show.”
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