In the Discovery+ series Legacy: In the Shadow of Greatness, Dwyane Wade opened up about the hardships and pressure his son, Zaire, has following in Dwyane’s footsteps. According to People, the show follows the offspring of legendary players as they attempt to establish their own legacies, including Evander Holyfield’s son and former NFL player Randall Cunningham’s son.
Zaire describes his experience playing basketball at Sierra Canyon School, a Los Angeles-area school noted for its basketball program, in a clip from the Wades’ episode. LeBron James’ son, Bronny James, is also a student at the institution.
When their basketball coach chose to give Bronny more playing time and demote Zaire from the starting lineup, the haters came after him.
“All the attention, social media, everybody, they really just be hating,” Zaire said in the teaser, according to People. “They pray on my downfall.”
It was the first time in Zaire’s high school career that he didn’t start the game.
“It’s just challenging, it’s mentally challenging because it can break you, not getting the playing time you want,” Dwyane said of his son’s experience, People reports.
He goes on to say that it’s only one of the many challenges that basketball players can face during their careers.
“It can break you beyond the court. Not getting a shot for three, four, five, six, seven, eight minutes. Injuries can break you. For me, I want to see what he’s made of,” he said.
Zaire was picked by the lower league Salt Lake City Stars, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. Fans criticized the young player, pointing out that the team is part of a sports brand that is partially owned by Dwyane Wade.
“I think I just want people to know — first of all, I’m extremely blessed to have this opportunity from the Stars to even want to take interest in me,” Zaire told the Salt Lake Tribune in October. “I know I’m a young guy to develop.”
“Nothing’s handed to me,” he continued. “Coach said he noticed after the first day I stepped here, I’m just working hard trying to earn everything myself. I’m trying to make a name for myself. So I think that’s what people should know.”
