Dwyane Wade Cries After Learning He Was Prince’s Favorite Player

Before Sunday’s Game 7 between the Miami Heat and the Charlotte Hornets, television cameras caught Dwyane Wade tearing up during the national anthem – and, no, it wasn’t because he had an early scoop on LeBron’s involvement in Space Jam 2.

As it turns out, the NBA veteran was emotional because he had just learned that he was Prince’s favorite basketball player.

Wade had listened to a recent radio interview with the late icon, in which Prince professed a love for his game, and his mind was elsewhere by the time he took the court – which is saying something, considering this is his 13th year in the league. And as the anthem was performed before the pivotal game, Wade’s emotions got the better of him, as he explained on Twitter yesterday.

“Hearing him say that I was his favorite basketball player [had] me feeling all kinds of emotions. You never know who[se] life you impact,” Wade wrote. “I know I have fans around the world, but hearing Prince say those words was an ultimate compliment.”

So yesterday i wasn’t crying like some may think but i just listened to an interview with Damaris Lewis calling up Prince..Prince!!

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) May 2, 2016

and hearing him say that I was his favorite Basketball Player has me feeling all kinds of emotions.. You never know who life you impact

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) May 2, 2016

I know I have fans and lots of supporters around the world but hearing Prince say those words was an ultimate compliment.. #Honored

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) May 2, 2016

The Heat would go on to beat the Hornets by 33, with Wade scoring 12 points in 25 minutes. Up next, a matchup with Drake’s favorite team, the Toronto Raptors, which begins tonight.