Zaya Wade Calls Dad Dwyane Wade One of Her "Best Friends" in Hall of Fame Tribute

Dwyane Wade just scored a sweet tribute from his daughter Zaya Wade.

After the retired NBA star was honored at the 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony, the 16-year-old celebrated with a moving message.

"My dad is a Hall of Famer," Zaya wrote on Instagram Aug. 13. "I've never been more proud in my life to know someone as kind, loving, and accepting as he is. He is one of my best friends. I love you dad."

Dwyane, 41, was welcomed into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., on Aug. 12. Gene Bess, Gary Blair, Pau Gasol, Becky Hammon, David Hixon, Gene Keady, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Gregg Popovich, Jim Valvano and the 1976 U.S. Women's Olympic Team were also honored.

Of course, Zaya wasn't just expressing her pride on social media as she was also on-hand to mark her dad's big night. In fact, the model was one of several family members there to take in the major milestone as Dwyane's wife Gabrielle Union; son Zaire Wade, 21; daughter Kaavia Wade, 4; nephew Dahveon Morris, 21; as well as his sister Tragil Wade, mom Jolinda Wade and dad Dwyane Wade Sr. all attended the event at Symphony Hall. 

During the ceremony, the former Miami Heat player—who is also father to 9-year-old son Xavier Wade—expressed how much they mean to him.

"To my loved ones, the ones who have become my lifeline, y'all are my safe haven—a place where I can always retreat to with minimum fear of judgment," he said during his speech. "I've laughed with you. I've cried with you. I've been saved by you. I'm protected by you and I'm loved by you. I am who I am because of all of you. You're the embodiment of unconditional love, and that's all I ever wanted and needed. That's all I ever wanted to show in return."

Dwyane also gave a special shout-out to Gabrielle.

"Thank you for making our house a home," he noted. "Thank you for making sure our kids feel seen, heard and protected when I'm not around. Thank you for learning every ref's name in the NBA and for screaming at them so I didn't have to—saved a lot of fine money. I know I'm traveling for work this year during our anniversary, so I want to say thank you for being on this journey for me, with me, these past 15 years. Thank you for learning to love my imperfections just as much as we've enjoyed and loved the moments of perfection. I love you."

And the Bring It On actress returned the love in a tribute of her own. Sharing footage from the night—including the red carpet and after-party—to Instagram, she wrote, "By his side through it all."

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