Dwyane Wade’s love for Allen Iverson can be traced back to him wearing number 3 to honor the legend. Over the years, they developed the bond, and AI introduced D-Wade for his Hall of Fame induction. Even then, the Heat icon did not leave any stone unturned and thanked ‘The Answer‘ for proving to be an inspiration for him and others. On that list is also Zaire Wade, who recently revealed the best advice he ever received.

“A lot of people have gave me sound advice. I’m trying to think of one that’s like, I remember Allen Iverson told me like he gave me this analogy like he used like a boxing ring.” On the 1st Round Potential Podcast, the eldest kid of the Wade family spoke highly about AI. Dwyane Wade’s eldest chose a different path in order to enter the NBA. He forwent college and entered the G League straight out of high school. But that move didn’t go as planned.

Zaire posted just 1.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists across 12 G League outings before a shoulder injury sidelined him. After recovering from his shoulder injury, he joined the Cape Town Tigers in the Basketball Africa League, but his NBA aspirations remain on hold. That’s where Allen Iverson’s advice comes in. “If somebody’s getting you know kind of beat up a little bit for the first couple rounds, it’s looking like dang it’s over. But if that person continues to come back and fight, he may land one like one knockout blow and the whole sh– is over with you know.”

The advice from the 76ers legend was simple: keep fighting for the dream and do not give up. The 23-year-old was undrafted from the 2024 G League draft. Yet another hurdle in his dream. But even Dwyane Wade is not leaving any stone unturned to motivate his son.

Michael Jordan’s connection comes into play as Dwyane Wade celebrates his son

The eldest son of D-Wade has not stopped hooping or cut any corners in practice. He once uploaded a video of himself dunking like his father, but the caption revealed a different story. “Forgotten Child”. Since the G League draft did not pan out the way he hoped for, the caption could have been a sign of that. But his father was making sure that those setbacks didn’t linger in Zaire’s mind forever.

Dwyane Wade on his Instagram, celebrated his son’s birthday with a special wish. “23. We celebrate my YNG 👑 on his day. 23 years ago you came into this world and changed my life forever, you made me feel something that made me wanna be the best version of me. Enjoy Wade County tonite🫡 ZWade I love you!” D-Wade added a few other stories, and in one story mentioned Michael Jordan. “Your jordan year…Year 23.”

The praise is not only related to birthdays. In fact, previously, the 3x NBA champion made such a heartfelt comparison between his son and MJ. “I always tell Z, I said Z you’re my favorite basketball player, and he might not understand like Jordan was my favorite basketball player, he don’t play anymore.” The proud father stated on his YouTube channel back in November. With influences like his father and Allen Iverson, Zaire continues to strive hard to make that distant NBA dream possible.