When Prince died last month, emotional tributes poured in from across the sports world, but it was a tribute from Prince that had Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade getting emotional on Monday.
In a rare radio interview in 2012, the late musician was asked about a number of topics, including basketball. When asked who he was rooting for, he told interviewer Damaris Lewis, "Well, Dwyane Wade is my favorite player, but the Thunder are my favorite team."
Wade was sent a link to the interview on Twitter, and described his reaction to finding out he had been Prince's favorite NBA player.
Thank you for this message. WoW! Honored https://t.co/le4EBsSpnS
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) May 2, 2016
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 interview, which was re-uploaded to YouTube after Prince's death, took place in May 2012, right before Wade and the Heat faced the Thunder in the NBA Finals. Wade went on to average 22.6 PPG in that series, helping Miami to a 4-1 win over Oklahoma City and earning the second of his three NBA championships.