Miami Heat Replace Dwyane Wade Statue Head

The team installed a new version of the bronze statue following public feedback regarding the original likeness.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Basketball

Miami Heat Replace Dwyane Wade Statue Head

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The Miami Heat have replaced the head of the 8-foot bronze statue of Dwyane Wade located at the Kaseya Center. The change follows public criticism of the original likeness that was initially unveiled in October 2024.

Why it matters

The modification reflects the team's response to outside criticism regarding the accuracy of the statue's face. This adjustment aims to ensure the memorial better honors the legacy of the franchise icon.

The bronze statue stands 8 feet tall and commemorates a game-winning shot from March 9, 2009. The figure honors a player who spent 16 seasons in the NBA during the Miami Heat franchise's 39-season history.

The players

Dwyane Wade

He is a former professional basketball player who spent the majority of his 16-season NBA career with the Miami Heat.

Miami Heat

This is a professional basketball team based in Miami that has competed in the NBA for 39 seasons.

Omri Amrany

He is a professional sculptor from Rotblatt Amrany Studio who co-created the Dwyane Wade bronze statue.

Oscar León

He is a professional sculptor who collaborated on the design and structural revisions of the Dwyane Wade memorial.

The details

Sculptors Omri Amrany and Oscar León created the new head in Chicago before installing it on-site. The artists performed additional color-matching work to blend the new piece with the existing statue structure.

Dwyane Wade made his game-winning shot on March 9, 2009.
The original statue was unveiled in October 2024.
The new statue head was installed between October 27 and October 28, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The update to the statue marks an unusual mid-season pivot for the franchise's public art program. It shifts the narrative from the initial reception of the monument toward a focus on fan-responsive institutional management.

Visitors to the Kaseya Center can now view the corrected statue likeness as part of the facility's permanent collection. The physical update replaces the version previously criticized by fans and critics.

The takeaway

Large public art projects often undergo iterative refinements based on community feedback. Taking the time to address public concerns can help preserve the intended legacy of a memorial statue.