Dwyane Wade has opened up about the emotional moment his daughter Zaya told him she was transgender at the age of 12.
The former NBA star, 39, describes Zaya as "one of the greatest teachers of my life."
During an Instagram Live interview with Today, the retired basketball star talked about his upbringing, his NBA career, and his efforts to be the best possible parent to his kids.
Ahead of his new photographic memoir Dwyane, which was released this week, the former athlete opened up about the pivotal moment he had as a parent when Zaya broke the news to him.
Wade said he approached the news the same way he would if he needed to fix something in his basketball game.
Asking for help, he recalled: "If I don't know something in this life, especially if it comes from my children, then it's my job to go and learn these things," he said.
In addition to Zaya, who is now 14, Wade is a father to two sons, Zaire, 19, and Xavier, 8, and daughter, Kaavia, 3. He also helped raise his nephew, Dahveon Morris, 20.
Wade said he and wife Gabrielle Union - who is Zaya's stepmother - have helped the teenager celebrate being her authentic self and have been powerful allies to the LGBTQ community, especially since they know they are speaking for her.
What's more, he says that he tells Zaya to "educate me and let me know". He added: "She said, 'I thank you and if there's anything that comes up, I'll definitely let you know.'"
"Zaya is more than that," Wade said. "Zaya is a 14-year-old amazing girl, who since she stepped into her classroom on day one has never gotten lower than A."
He described his daughter as "a young kid who is trying to fit in with other kids at school, trying to get to the point where she is trying to date."
"She's my daughter. She's beautiful and she has so many other great qualities that she is tapping into that everyone is starting to see," he added.
