Dwyane Wade knows all about the sacrifices it takes to reach the top of basketball. But these days, the three-time NBA champion is learning a new role: being “Coach Dad.” And for his youngest daughter, Kaavia, one rising star has already become her model to follow: Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese.
From NBA Great to Father-Coach
Speaking on IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, Wade opened up about what it’s like raising a young athlete. He admitted the balance between parenting and coaching isn’t always easy, especially when Kaavia sets her goals sky-high.
“Because the things I’m going to have, the things she’s going to do to want to be a great athlete, when she say, ‘Oh, I want to be better than Angel Reese,’” Wade began. “Okay. I hear you. And so the things you’re going to want, that you’re gonna have to do… And so yeah, my tone gonna be a little different to your mom’s…”
That challenge means Wade sometimes takes on a tougher tone. He emphasized that Kaavia already understands the difference between his roles as father and coach, and even if she doesn’t always like his approach, their bond remains strong.
“She respects the way I communicate, but she don’t like it,” Wade said with a laugh. “But when we get done with that moment, we hug, we don’t miss a beat. That’s just how it’s gonna go — I’m coach.”
Why Angel Reese Stands Out
Wade’s effort to provide role models for his daughters is no accident. In 2023, he bought a stake in the Chicago Sky, ensuring his girls had the same kind of access to the women’s game that his son Zaire had growing up in the NBA environment.
So when the Sky drafted Angel Reese, the connection was immediate. Kaavia quickly gravitated toward the 23-year-old forward, who had already made waves as “Bayou Barbie” at LSU and now as “Chi-Town Barbie” in the WNBA.
Meeting Reese left a lasting impression on Kaavia, and Wade acknowledged how powerful that moment was. “Seeing is believing. Thank you for being a model for all our daughters,” he said, praising the Sky rookie for the inspiration she provides. Reese even reciprocated, reposting a video of Kaavia to her Instagram Story.
The Bigger Picture
For Wade, it’s not just about wins and losses anymore, it’s about creating opportunities for his daughters to see themselves in the game. By pointing to Angel Reese as a role model, he’s giving Kaavia a tangible example of what hard work, personality, and confidence can achieve.
Reese, already one of the WNBA’s most visible young stars, is still just starting her pro journey. But for the Wade household, her impact is already felt. And if Kaavia continues to chase her dream of becoming “better than Angel Reese,” it will be thanks in part to the role models her father has worked so hard to put in her path.
