Miami Heat Legend Dwyane Wade Can’t Suppress His Enthusiasm For Team’s Top Draft Pick, Calls Him ‘A Culture-Changer’

Dwyane Wade knows greatness when he sees it. As a three-time NBA champion, 13-time All-Star, and Hall of Famer who helped define the Miami Heat’s championship pedigree, Wade has witnessed firsthand what it takes to excel on basketball’s biggest stage. So when the Heat selected their top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Wade’s reaction wasn’t just supportive—it was electric.

The pick? Duke standout forward Tyrese Newberry, a 6-foot-8 phenom with a versatile skill set and defensive instincts that already echo the Heat’s long-standing identity. The Heat chose Newberry with the 10th overall pick, and within minutes, Wade had taken to social media to express his delight. “Miami got a DOG,” Wade posted on X (formerly Twitter). “This kid is gonna make Heat Nation proud. Culture. That’s all I see.”

Those comments weren’t just empty praise. Wade had done his homework. Sources close to the organization say Wade had been in contact with front office personnel during the pre-draft process and even privately worked out Newberry weeks before the draft. That workout, reportedly intense and hyper-competitive, left a lasting impression on Wade.

“He’s got that edge, that hunger you don’t see in every prospect,” Wade said during a recent appearance on NBA Today. “A lot of guys have talent. Tyrese has the mindset. He wants to be great, but more importantly, he wants to earn it—and that’s Heat culture through and through.”

Wade’s excitement comes during a pivotal time for the franchise. After a disappointing finish to the 2024–25 season, in which Miami missed the playoffs amid injury woes and inconsistency, the Heat entered the offseason needing a spark. Though Jimmy Butler remains a focal point, his long-term future in Miami is uncertain. Bam Adebayo continues to anchor the defense, and Tyler Herro has shown flashes, but the Heat lacked a clear young centerpiece to build around. Newberry could change that.

The rookie’s resume is impressive. During his lone season at Duke, Newberry averaged 17.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. His defensive versatility allowed him to guard positions one through four, and he shot 38% from beyond the arc—a welcome sign for a Heat team that struggled from three-point range last year. But it wasn’t just the numbers that sold Wade.

“It’s how he talks in the huddle,” Wade said. “It’s how he gets back on defense after a turnover, how he calls out switches, how he celebrates his teammates more than himself. That’s culture. That’s Miami.”

Wade’s stamp of approval carries weight. Since retiring in 2019, the Heat legend has taken a more active role in player development, often attending practices, mentoring young players, and maintaining a close relationship with team president Pat Riley. While he isn’t officially part of the front office, Wade is one of the franchise’s most trusted voices, and his opinions are considered seriously.

During Summer League in Las Vegas, Wade sat courtside at multiple games, cheering on Newberry, occasionally barking instructions and celebrating defensive stops more loudly than dunks. At one point during a game against the Knicks’ summer squad, Newberry dove on the floor for a loose ball, swiping it to a teammate before sliding across the hardwood. Wade leapt to his feet, clapping and yelling, “Let’s go! That’s what we do!”

After the game, Newberry beamed when asked about Wade’s visible support. “It means the world,” he said. “D-Wade’s someone I grew up watching. I’ve studied his game, his footwork, his leadership. To have him in my corner is unreal. I want to be the kind of player who makes this organization proud—just like he did.”

Wade’s involvement also highlights Miami’s evolving approach to player mentorship. With Udonis Haslem officially retired and taking on more front-office responsibilities, Wade has increasingly become the bridge between the franchise’s championship past and its hopeful future. While the Heat have always valued toughness and accountability, Wade’s vocal support of Newberry shows they also value emotional intelligence and mental preparedness in their rising stars.

“He reminds me a little of myself,” Wade admitted. “Different position, different style, but the way he watches film, the way he listens, the way he competes—that’s familiar. I told him: this city loves players who play both ends. You do that, you’re already a star here.”

So far, Newberry seems to be taking those words to heart. During the Summer League, he averaged 16.5 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game, earning praise for his tenacity on defense and improving shot creation. Coaches have already begun experimenting with him in both forward spots, and insiders say the team views him as a potential Day 1 starter.

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra also chimed in on Newberry’s progress. “He’s got the tools, and more importantly, the willingness to do the work,” Spoelstra said. “He’s learning how to communicate within our defensive schemes, how to be disruptive without fouling. Offensively, he knows when to move, when to slash, when to shoot. It’s rare to see a 19-year-old this polished.”

Still, Spoelstra emphasized patience. “He’s going to make mistakes—that’s part of growth. But he doesn’t hide. That’s why guys respect him already.”

Newberry’s rise is particularly timely for Miami, which has been searching for a foundational young player since the departure of LeBron James in 2014 and Wade’s own final game in 2019. Herro and Adebayo have grown into valuable contributors, but Newberry offers a new dimension—especially defensively. His length, lateral quickness, and shot-blocking instincts could give Miami the kind of wing-stopper it hasn’t had since peak Andre Iguodala.

Wade, ever the ambassador, believes the rookie’s influence will be felt off the court as well. “He’s got a good head on his shoulders,” he said. “No ego, no shortcuts. He’s soaking everything in. He wants to represent the Heat the right way, and that’s not just in wins and losses—it’s in how you treat people, how you prepare, how you carry the torch.”

Indeed, Wade’s mentorship of Newberry seems deeper than a casual endorsement. The two have reportedly met multiple times for film study, private workouts, and team dinners. One team source even called Wade “a shadow assistant coach” when it comes to the rookie’s development.

“There’s no blueprint,” Wade told reporters. “Every young player is different. But when I see one who’s serious about legacy, I can’t help but invest. That’s what I see in Tyrese. He wants to leave a mark.”

Whether Newberry develops into an All-Star or simply a solid starter remains to be seen. But his early support system—anchored by the greatest player in franchise history—suggests he’s being given every opportunity to succeed. And Wade, the face of the Heat’s most iconic era, seems genuinely eager to help usher in the next.

“This is the kind of guy who can change your locker room,” Wade said. “Not just with talent—but with effort, with attitude, with passion. That’s what this franchise was built on. I see it in him. I feel it. And man, I can’t wait to see where it goes.”

As the 2025–26 season approaches, Heat fans will be watching closely. A new era may be dawning in Miami—and Dwyane Wade, ever the guardian of Heat Culture, has already given his blessing.