Dwyane Wade Shares What Daughter Zaya Has Taught Him About Fatherhood

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Dwyane Wade‘s daughter makes fatherhood an easy slam dunk. 

The retired NBA player spoke about how his daughter, Zaya Wade, who publicly came out as transgender in 2020, has changed his perspective on being a father.

Dwyane Wade shared with TopMob News at the Translatable ball on May 30th, while attending with his wife Gabrielle Union, that he and his family are continually inspired by his daughter, Zaya. He explained that Zaya’s bravery has taught him a valuable lesson: you don’t truly know your own courage until you’re faced with a challenging situation.

He explained that Zaya has demonstrated a remarkable grasp of courage, safety, and feeling protected – things everyone desires. Seeing her recognize these qualities within herself and flourish is incredibly inspiring and gives you hope for the future.

Retired NBA star and founder of the LGBTQIA+ youth organization Translatable believes his daughter shares his natural talent, just as you’d expect from family. He’s widely considered one of the greatest basketball players ever.

You know, I’ve always believed that if my sister had focused on basketball, she’d have been an absolute legend. It’s not just about physical ability, though – she possesses that incredible drive and really gets what it takes to succeed at the highest level. It’s a mindset, and she has it in spades.

The father of five emphasized that he will always support his daughter, Zaya, stating simply, ‘I’m her biggest fan.’

Dwyane, 44, has four children: 19-year-old Zaya, 24-year-old Zaire (with his ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches), 12-year-old Xavier (with ex Aja Metoyer), and 7-year-old Kaavia (with Gabrielle). He is also the legal guardian of his 21-year-old nephew, Dahveon.

And ahead of Father’s Day, the professional athlete is reflecting on his fatherhood journey. 

As a father, my biggest wish is to truly understand each of my children for who they are, recognizing that they’re all unique. I want them to know I’ll always be there to listen, learn, and love them unconditionally.

He said having that consistent connection with his children meant every day felt like Father’s Day. His main goal is to support them, be a reliable presence, and encourage them to pursue their dreams.

You know, I often tell people that if my sister were in my shoes, playing basketball, she’d be an absolute legend. She just has that incredible drive and really gets what it takes to succeed – that mental toughness is rare and powerful.

The father of five emphasized he will always support his daughter, Zaya, stating simply, “I’m her biggest fan.”

Dwyane Wade is a father to five children: 19-year-old Zaya and 24-year-old Zaire with his ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches, 12-year-old Xavier with ex Aja Metoyer, and 7-year-old Kaavia with Gabrielle Union. He also legally cares for his 21-year-old nephew, Dahveon.

And ahead of Father’s Day, the professional athlete is reflecting on his fatherhood journey. 

As a father, my biggest hope is to truly understand each of my children for who they are, recognizing that they’re all unique individuals. I want them to know I’ll always be there to listen, learn, and love them unconditionally.

He said having that consistent connection makes every day feel like Father’s Day. His main goal is to support his children, be a reliable presence, and encourage them to pursue their dreams.

Since Zaya publicly shared that she is transgender, Dwyane has consistently shown his love and support for her. He’s also committed to learning more about her journey and transgender issues.

After Zaya shared who she is, her co-owner with the Utah Jazz made it clear that his first concern was building a supportive community for her.

Honestly, it all began with just loving and accepting my kid, creating this amazing little world around them. It’s been incredible watching Zaya grow, not just as a person, but thrive because of the support system we built – our family, our friends, everyone. It’s a joy to witness all their successes, big and small, and it’s all thanks to that loving community we created. Seriously, watching them blossom is the best thing ever.

For a closer look into Dwyane and Gabrielle’s best family moments, keep reading…

In 2019, Dwyane Wade marked the end of his NBA career surrounded by family. His wife, Gabrielle Union, and their daughter Kaavia Wade were there to celebrate with him. Also present were his nephew Dahveon Morris, his sons Zaire and Xavier, and his daughter Zaya (with his ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches), as well as his son Xavier’s mother, Aja Metoyer.

Gabrielle and Dwyane looked like a perfect pair at Halloween in 2023, and their daughter Kaavia celebrated as Cinderella.

The Bring It On actress snapped silly selfies with Kaavia on Mother’s Day 2023.

In a 2022 photo, Dwyane Wade’s son Zaire shared a picture of his father proudly displaying his jersey from the Salt Lake City Stars, with the caption: “Leave a legacy.”

It was so heartwarming to see Dwyane and Gabby send their daughter, Zaya, to her winter formal back in January 2023! It’s amazing to witness their support for Zaya, who Dwyane shares with his ex-wife, Siovaughn Funches. They clearly prioritize her happiness and celebrating these important milestones.

I absolutely love how this couple put it! They shared that being there for each other through everything – the big, scary stuff especially – is what really matters. They talked about all the worry and fear, but how having the support of loved ones helps you face anything with confidence and stand strong. It’s such a beautiful reminder that we don’t have to go through life alone, and I feel so inspired by their message!

Gabrielle shared a sweet moment on Instagram in 2020, pointing out that her daughter, Kaavia James, had hair just like hers. She explained that after taking out her braids, Kaavia reacted happily, and now both mom and baby are showing off their natural curls.

The couple’s daughter, Kaavia, first appeared at an awards show – the 2019 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards – and she handled it like a natural!

Following a family Thanksgiving celebration, Dwyane Wade responded to negative comments made about him online, using Twitter to address the internet trolls.

I’ve noticed some negative comments online about a recent family photo I shared after Thanksgiving. I understand there’s always going to be negativity, but I want to be clear: I lead my family, not anyone else. We’ll keep being ourselves and supporting each other with love, pride, and positivity!

Gabrielle rang in her 50th birthday in 2022 with snuggles from Dwyane and Kaavia.

The couple are all smiles as they celebrate Zaya’s 16th birthday in May 2023.

For Halloween in 2019, Gabrielle and Dwyane had a perfect costume idea for their daughter.

Oh my gosh, you won’t BELIEVE this! After that incredible costume, they didn’t stop there! They actually changed into a whole other theme with little Zaya! I’m seriously losing it – they’re the cutest family ever!

Dwyane praised Zaya amid criticism from online trolls.

He shared on the All the Smoke podcast in 2019 that when it comes to strength and courage, his 12-year-old is actually more impressive than he is. He emphasized that you can really learn from your children, and in his family, they constantly discuss how to support and empower their kids. They make a point of ensuring each child feels seen and understands the importance of using their voice.

When Gabrielle was let go from America’s Got Talent in 2019, Dwyane Wade was fully supportive of her. He tweeted, “Men lie, Women lie, numbers don’t,” and explained that many people had told him Gabrielle was the reason they started watching, or enjoyed, the show because of her honest opinions.

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2026-06-01 01:47