The Daily Observer London Desk: Reporter- Judith Benjamin
Dwyane Wade had A-list company for his Hall of Fame after-party as Lil Wayne performed for the new inductee.
Wade, along with Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol and Gregg Popovich, was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday night, putting a cap on a stellar career that included three championships, 13 All-Star selections and a Finals MVP nod in 2005-6.
And after delivering a moving speech in Springfield, Massachusetts, Wade danced on stage at his after-party as Lil Wayne performed.
Wade rapped along to Wayne’s lyrics before the pair shared a hearty handshake.
Dwyane Wade danced on stage at his after-party as rapper Lil Wayne performed at the event
The pair shared a hearty handshake before Wayne thanked the crowd for coming out
Earlier in the night, Wade spoke for 25 minutes as he recounted his basketball journey that brought him to this point.
‘I’m on this stage because my belief has always been stronger than anyone’s doubt,’ he said. ‘So to all the hoopers, I hope you take this to heart. Know it’s never about your setbacks, it’s how you respond.
‘The blows you take are few, the limitations people put on you are actually inspiration. No one who comes from the community that I have has ever left a legacy worth remembering.
Wade also shared a touching moment with his father, Dwyane Wade Sr., who he thanked for maximizing his talents before inviting him up on stage alongside him.
Earlier in the night, ex-Heat star Wade was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
He invited his father, Dwyane Wade Sr., onstage for a touching moment in Massachusetts.
‘When I would cry and say, ‘I can’t,’ you made me go harder,’ Wade said. You pushed me to limits that I didn’t know were inside of me. The hard work I put in was because I didn’t wanna let you down.
‘Even though I hated being called little Dwyane, I admired you as a kid,’ the former Heat star continued.
‘I admire you now. We have the same exact dream and we carry the same exact name, Dwyane Tyrone Wade. To know we hustled all the way to the Basketball Hall of Fame is God’s will. So Pops, I know your knee is a little sore. But will you join me on stage as we take our rightful step into basketball heaven?’
