MIAMI (WSVN) – The sculptors behind former Miami Heat player Dwyane Wade's statue offer a preview of what it will look like before its unveiling.

The statue is expected to be unveiled at the Kaseya Center on Sunday.

Currently protected from the public by a black box and curtain, the statue is intended to honor Wade's legendary career with the Heat.

“We are trying to surpass what we have done in the past in terms of design, execution and composition,” said sculptor Oscar León.

León and Omri Amrany are the artists behind the Miami Heat legend's new statue. Her acclaimed studio also brought to life the statue of Michael Jordan in Chicago and that of Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles.

They said that if fans thought Wade was great in person, he was even more impressive in statue form.

“On D-Wade we probably had about 700 to 800 pounds worth of clay, so we had to make sure we had a very strong support system to be able to handle it,” León said.

When asked what makes an effective and lasting work of art, the sculptors might have given a clue as to what kind of pose the Wade statue would strike.

“We’re trying to eliminate gravity. If I can give you the feeling that the person is somehow in the air,” Amrany said.

Although the exact pose remains a mystery, Wade was involved in the process and had input into his likeness.

“It was so cool to be part of the process and have the opportunity to change things,” he said. “I'm very vain, and if my eyebrow sticks out a little, I'll let them know.”

The sculptors said Wade was very happy with the finished product.

“He left very happy. On this last visit he had seen basically everything he wanted to see. We made all the adjustments he asked for,” León said.

León said some surprises were added to the statue.

“We added some Easter eggs, which were a little personal touch for him that you'll see throughout the sculpture,” he said. “I won’t go into detail because I don’t want to give away what that means.”

The sculptors remained tight-lipped when asked if the statue was connected to Wade's heart, following up with the former NBA star's comment: “My heart. I will hold my heart. That’s why I’m up there, that’s why I have a statue.”

Amrany offered 7News viewers a little spoiler and advised fans to “watch your fingernails.”

Wade and the sculptors hope fans see the statue as a positive vision of what is possible.

“So I had a chance to kind of bring it back to Dwyane, who was 19 when Jordan got his statue,” Wade said.

“The fans, the people who look at the kids and say, 'Look what you can do in the future,' that will make me proud,” Amrany said.

The doors to the unveiling open at 4 p.m. Admission is free, but fans must reserve their spot.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Dwyane Wade statue unveiling
Kaseya Center
601 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33132
Tickets

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