Dwyane Wade

The former NBA star's has accused Wade of trying to profit of daughter, Zaya, specifically off her name and gender change.

"This report came out while Zaya was in class. "While none of us are surprised by Siohvaughn’s attempt to fight Zaya’s identity and her unwavering attempt to drag my name through the mud, I’m very disappointed that she continuously find ways of centering herself and HER needs, without regard to her children," he added. [Wade said](https://www.instagram.com/p/CkfgtPoo5QJ/?hl=en) in a statement on social media.

After Siohvaughn Funches-Wade filed a petition to stop her and Dwyane Wade's daughter Zaya from changing her name and gender, the NBA icon addressed his ...

"These are serious and harmful allegations that have hurt our children." "This report came out while Zaya was in class," Dwyane noted. cyber bullying, statements and/or pictures taken out of context of our child, and unwanted spotlight focused on our child." [For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! This isn't a game for my family and definitely not for Zaya. "[Dwyane] has appeared on national television shows and in media reports regarding our child's name and gender change.

Dwyane Wade addressed his ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches' petition about their transgender daughter, Zaya — see his response.

“I will not sit on my hands this time and allow her to make a mockery of my dedication to my family. My lawyer will be in contact and best of luck to the 14h lawyer as they try to unravel this book of lies that’s been sold to them.” This isn’t a game for my family and definitely not for Zaya. On Tuesday, November 1, Us Weekly obtained documents filed by Funches stating her “concerns that [Wade] may be pressuring our child to move forward with the name and gender change in order to capitalize on the financial opportunities that he has received from companies, and will receive based upon [his] statements to me, on the basis of our child’s name and/or gender change.” She requested that the court deny Wade’s filing to legally change Zaya’s name and gender. Wade added that their daughter “is not that same 3 year child anymore and she’s screaming that to the world but most importantly to her Mother,” explaining: “No one in our house would ever force Zaya or any of our children to do anything against their will, much less force an identity on them. “All I ever wanted was to have my parenting time uninterrupted, as I knew that it would be a very difficult time for our kids to navigate their new normal.

The former NBA player slammed his ex-wife in a Thursday statement following her court filing about their daughter's intended identity change.

He added, "I will not sit on my hands and allow her to make a mockery of my dedication to my family. My lawyer will be in contact and best of luck to the 14th lawyer as they try to unravel this book of lies that's been sold to them." Siohvaughn has decided to be pretty much an absent parent to Zaya ALL ON HER OWN."

Wade, a former NBA star, hit out at ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches-Wade in an Instagram statement this morning, calling her an 'absentee parent'.

He is shown on Ellen, describing how Zaya came out to the family 'I had to look myself in the mirror. I asked him to choose between his family or him and he chose his family,' she said. 'I am concerned that our child is being commercialized at a young age and also of the uncontrollable consequences of media exposure i.e. She begged him not to enter the NBA. They also share older son Zaire, 20, but Wade won full custody of the boys in 2011 after a lengthy court battle 'I think influence had a lot to do with it. Zaya with Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, who fears her ex-husband is exploiting her for financial gain. No one in our house would ever force Zaya or any of our children to do anything against their will, much less force an identity on them. The high road has run out of real estate. Union has not responded to Zaya's mother's claims. Zaya was born Zion but came out as trans in 2019 aged 12 and has since amassed modeling contracts and social media fame.

In his message, Dwyane calls out his ex-wife for alleging that he's forcing their child "to be someone she's not and to do something against her will." "These ...

Siohvaughn -- who referred to Zaya by Zion in the objection -- further claimed, "I inquired what companies had made deals, or was willing to make deals, with [Dwyane] regarding our child. [He] told me that he intended to make our child very famous due to the name and gender issue and also informed me that there would be endorsements/contracts associated therewith." During this occasion, [he] informed me that a lot of money had been already made and that additional money will be made in relation to our child's name and gender issue. She won't do it!" "She won't do it!" Dwyane claims that Siohvaughn's headline-making filing came through while their daughter was in class.

Dwyane Wade's ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches suspected that Wade is merely trying to profit off of his daughter Zaya's name and gender change.

These are serious and harmful allegations that have hurt our children,” Wade wrote. However, Wade’s first spouse and Zaya’s mother, Siohvaughn Funches, believes that something more sinister is going on behind the scenes. Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade knows this firsthand, having witnessed his daughter Zaya’s growth over the years which has led her to come out as transgender during late 2019.

Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade responded to his ex-wife's claim that he is trying to profit off his transgender daughter, Zaya. Wade took to social media to ...

[CLICK HERE](https://www.si.com/nba/heat/miami-news/has-the-miami-heats-championship-window-closed) [CLICK HERE](https://www.si.com/nba/heat/miami-news/a-look-at-the-miami-heat-city-edition-jersey-for-this-year) [CLICK HERE](https://www.foco.com/collections/miami-heat) [CLICK HERE](https://www.si.com/nba/heat/miami-news/miami-dolphins-wide-receiver-tyreek-hill-wants-to-start-attending-heat-games) She won’t do it!” "No one in our house would ever force Zaya or any of our children to do anything against their will, much less force an identity on them.

Dwyane Wade and ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches finalized their divorce in 2013, six years after separating — relationship ups and downs.

[exclusively told Us Weekly in June 2022](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/dwyane-wade-why-daughter-zaya-is-not-celebrating-pride-this-year/) of fatherhood. Their divorce was finalized in 2013, nearly two years after the former shooting guard was [awarded full custody of both Zaire and Zaya](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/hollywoods-messiest-custody-battles-brangelina-and-more/). Wade and Funches welcomed son Zaire in February 2002 and daughter Zaya, who [publicly came out as transgender](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/dwyane-wade-praises-transgender-daughter-zaya-reveals-safety-fears/) in 2020, in May 2007. [his family also grew](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/pictures/dwyane-wades-strong-bond-with-daughter-zaya-through-the-years/). Wade and the AWOW Women entrepreneur eventually wed in 2002, one year before [the basketball player entered the NBA’s annual draft](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/dwyane-wade-announces-next-chapter-in-son-zaires-basketball-career/). “While none of us are surprised by Siohvaughn’s attempt to fight Zaya’s identity and her unwavering attempt to drag my name through the mud, I’m very disappointed that she continuously find ways of centering herself and HER needs, without regard to her children.” He added: “All I ever wanted was to have my parenting time uninterrupted, as I knew that it would be a very difficult time for our kids to navigate their new normal. I needed to find people that I trust to put around my kids because [of] my job and my career. I try to parent each of my kids differently. I’mma learn how to parent you guys about how you guys are. (The former Chicago Bulls star also shares son [Xavier](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/pictures/gabrielle-union-dwyane-wade-on-him-fathering-a-child-during-split/), born in November 2013, with Aja Metoyer and daughter [Kaavia](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/gabrielle-union-what-my-daughter-kaavia-thinks-about-my-acting/), born in November 2018, with wife [Gabrielle Union](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/gabrielle-union/).) “I wanted to strike first.

'No one in our house would ever force Zaya or any of our children to do anything against their will, much less force an identity on them,' Dwyane Wade said.

Wade [is also dad to](https://people.com/parents/dwyane-wade-my-newborn-son-is-a-blessing-to-the-bloodline/https://people.com/parents/all-about-dwyane-wade-kids/) 8½-year-old son [Xavier Zechariah](https://people.com/parents/dwyane-wade-my-newborn-son-is-a-blessing-to-the-bloodline/), whom he shares with ex Aja Metoyer, and 3½-year-old daughter [Kaavia James](https://people.com/parents/gabrielle-union-dwyane-wade-welcome-daughter-via-surrogate/), whom he shares with wife Union, 50. She also claims that "there will likely be media pressure on the minor child" to make the change. At the time, Wade noted that his child had decided to go by the name of Zaya, and be referred to by she/her pronouns. [Zaire Wade](https://people.com/sports/dwyane-wade-son-zaire-wade-exclusive-sneak-peek-legacies-in-the-shadow-of-greateness-discovery/), along with Zaya. ... I will not sit on my hands this time and allow her to make a mockery of my dedication to my family. "Zaya is not that same 3 year child anymore and she's screaming that to the world but most importantly to her Mother!" She has not been to a school, recital, graduation, school dance, play date, practice, parent teacher conference etc and Zaya has given her every opportunity to try to get to know her." "No one in our house would ever force Zaya or any of our children to do anything against their will, much less force an identity on them." "All the while my wife [ This is her life," he added. Wade also said that the report tied to his ex "came out while Zaya was in class. These are serious and harmful allegations that have hurt our children."

Siohvaughn Funches-Wade claimed in court documents that Dwayne Wade did not consult her about the decision to legally change their daughter's name to Zaya.

"No one in our house would force Zaya or any of our children to do anything against their will, much less force an identity on them," he said Thursday. "The high road has run out of real estate," he wrote. Wade said he saw social media posts that claimed he was pressuring Zaya to legally change her name. He is now married to actress Gabrielle Union, with whom he has a daughter, Kaavia. [according to](https://www.etonline.com/dwyane-wades-ex-wife-objects-to-petition-to-legally-change-daughter-zayas-name-193782) Entertainment Tonight, which obtained a copy of the court filing. His ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches-Wade filed an objection this week – and Wade publicly responded on Thursday.

Dwyane Wade fired back at claims made in court documents filed by his ex-wife as the NBA great seeks to legally change his child's name and gender.

I think going forward I'm ready to live my truth and I want to be referenced as she and her and I would love for you guys to call me Zaya,’" he said at the time. I will not sit on my hands this time and allow her to make a mockery of my dedication to my family. and said, ‘Hey, I want to talk to you guys. "Siohvaughn has decided to pretty much be an absent parent to Zaya ALL ON HER OWN. Goldfard said in her ruling, according to ESPN Milwaukee. "Siohvaughn tried a similar attempt over a decade ago (with equally damaging lies and causing irreparable harm to her children) and 13 lawyers later, I was awarded sole custody of our two kids as an active NBA player! All I ever wanted was to have my parenting time uninterrupted, as I knew that it would be a very difficult time for our kids to navigate their new normal. "While none of us are surprised by Siohvaughn’s attempt to fight Zaya’s identity and her unwavering attempt to drag my name through the mud, I’m very disappointed that she continuously find ways of centering herself and HER needs, without regard to her children. My lawyer will be in contact and best of luck to the 14th lawyer as they try to unravel this book of lies that’s been sold to them." This is a kid who has maintained a 4.0 GPA in honors classes while navigating all this unsolicited and harmful attention and debates about her gender and sexuality from those who are committed to not listening to her, much less even knowing her! This isn’t a game for my family and definitely not for Zaya. [CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM](https://www.foxnews.com/sports)

The former NBA player said in a statement on social media that no one in his family would "force an identity" on the teen or any of his other children.

In an extended message on Thursday, Dwyane Wade responded to recent claims made by his ex-wife, who he says has been an “absent parent” to their daughter.

“Instead of trying to, you know, close the book on it.” while noting the importance of education. In the filings, Funches-Wade purported that Wade “may be pressuring our child to move forward with the name and gender change” for financial gain.