Heat unveil Dwyane Wade statue outside their arena.

 MIAMI — Dwyane Wade has made history as the first Miami Heat player to have a statue outside the team's arena.

The statue was unveiled on Sunday, approximately eight months after team president Pat Riley announced plans for the honor. Wade, who is Miami's all-time leading scorer, is also one of just two players, alongside Udonis Haslem, to be part of all three Heat championship teams.

"This is crazy," Wade said shortly after the unveiling. "I wanted to feel this. Life goes by so fast, and it’s rare that we get to take in these moments because we’re always rushing to the next thing. I wanted to truly experience this, man. I wanted to look at it."

An in-game celebration is scheduled for Monday when Miami hosts Detroit, marking the 21st anniversary of Wade's debut with the franchise.

Wade, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, is among six former Heat players whose numbers have been retired by the team, joining the likes of Haslem, Chris Bosh, Tim Hardaway, Shaquille O'Neal, and Alonzo Mourning.

"As the greatest player in Miami Heat history, yes, this is his day, and it’s a day for his family," Riley remarked.

The statue is situated outside the front doors of the Kaseya Center, accompanied by a wall that details Wade’s impressive career achievements. In addition to his legacy with the Heat, Wade is now a part-owner of the Utah Jazz and has various business ventures.

NEW YORK — Jordi Fernandez celebrated a milestone by keeping the game ball from his first win as an NBA head coach, a token to remind him of his journey and aspirations.

"I'm going to put it in my office," Fernandez said, "because my wife does a great job decorating the house and she doesn't want my basketball stuff there."

The rookie head coach secured his first victory on Sunday, leading the Brooklyn Nets to a 115-102 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in just his third game. Fernandez, originally from Badalona, Spain, had his family and friends in attendance to witness the achievement.

"This moment is special," Fernandez reflected. "It’s been a 15-year journey that started when I left Spain at 26. I began coaching in my teens and worked my way up from head coach of the Canton Charge in the G League to assistant roles in playoff teams before getting my chance here."

Fernandez emphasized the significance of the win while also looking ahead. "You have to enjoy this moment because there's only one time when you're a head coach and win your first game. But I’m also focused on what's next, as I want to be part of this league and this club for a long time."

He credited his players for the victory, which included a lively postgame celebration. "A guy from Europe, from Spain, being a head coach in the NBA, that’s big time," remarked Nets guard Dennis Schroder, who is from Germany.

Fernandez previously coached Canada's Olympic team this summer, leading them to their first men's basketball medal with a bronze at the World Cup. Now, with the Nets, he looks forward to what lies ahead.

"It represents a moment in my life," he said of the game ball. "And you look at it and see it as the beginning of something special."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.