When you’re an NBA star, the world sees you as a highlight reel. Slam dunks, buzzer-beaters, championship rings—the glory is endless. But what about the moments that happen off the court, away from the cameras? What about being a father in between away games and late-night flights? In a recent heart-to-heart, Zaire Wade opened up about his father, Dwyane Wade — the quiet, powerful ways he connected with his children during the chaos of his career. It wasn’t always loud or flashy. Sometimes, it was as simple as a notebook.
Back in 2011, following a long and bitter custody battle with his ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches, Dwyane Wade was granted sole custody of his two kids, Zaire and Zaya. It wasn’t easy. “He has the time if he makes the time,” Judge Renee G. Goldfarb had noted in her ruling—a subtle but sharp reminder of the stakes involved. Zaire, just a preteen then, admitted he was struggling. He was a self-proclaimed “momma’s boy,” who suddenly relocated into a new rhythm with a father who was still learning the ropes of full-time parenting while carrying the weight of an NBA franchise. How do you juggle being a league icon and a nurturing dad? Simple—by handing young Zaire a blank notebook.
No rules. No pressure. Just a place to speak — in silence. “I would leave it under his door,” Zaire remembered, “and then, whenever he would get back from a road trip, he would see it, open it, write his own thing, leave it back under my door.” It became a loop of love, a diary of understanding despite not uttering a single word.
Feb 16, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; Team Lebron guard Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat (3) with his son Zaire Blessing Dwyane Wade during NBA All-Star Game practice at the Bojangles Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-Imagn Images
For Zaire, now 23, that little act of fatherhood created a profound effect. “It was good,” he said. “Cause I never really knew how to express by talking.” The notebook wasn’t just a medium—it was a bridge. While Dwyane was dazzling the nation on the court, Zaire could always connect with his father, regardless of his location. All it took was his emotions to be written in the notebook. That simple notebook became their therapy, connection, and memory that outlasted seasons.
What’s truly beautiful is how small changes can tighten the bond between people. Zaire carried with him the memory of every early morning arrival, each filled with written emotions and forehead kisses. The notebook not only helped Zaire in his preteen years but also aided Dwyane Wade steer past his impact on fatherhood with ease. With all the NBA hustles around him, this feat displays Dwyane’s commitment to family time.
From Arena Lights to Night Lights: Dwyane Wade’s early heat days and fatherhood hustle
Back in the Miami days, Dwyane Wade was nothing short of electric. He was the face of the Florida-based franchise. Each week he delivered jaw-dropping performances and led the team to playoff glory. With 13x All-Star selections, a Final MVP in 2006 and 3 rings, he was building a legacy one game at a time. The grinding never stopped during his playing days! But the world only saw one side of the superstar because at home, he was just another “Dad”.
After dropping clutch performances, Wade would come home late at and lean into his fatherhood without hesitation. Dwyane Wade didn’t have the luxury of time, but he still made time for his kids. Long before the world applauded active parenting from athletes, he was quietly doing the work.
Dwyane Wade, speaking to the Atlantic, recalled feeling overwhelmed at first. “I just was like—all right, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing,” he admitted. But he knew what not to do — repeat the emotional distance he experienced from his own father. “Me, I’m kissing you on the forehead,” Wade said. “I’m coming in there. I’m tucking you in at night. I’m coming off the road at three in the morning. I’m coming in to show you love.”
Dwyane Wade was the guy who could hit threes and game-winners at the buzzer and be back in time to sneak into his son’s room to tuck him in. It was never about being perfect, it was about showing up. Dwyane made sure he balanced his career and his kid’s father-time simultaneously, no matter what it took. And that’s exactly what made his fatherhood journey so much memorable.
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