Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade said Monday it makes him emotional to know that a student killed in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School was buried in a jersey with his name on it.
Joaquin Oliver's parents revealed Sunday on Univision talk show "Al Punto" that their son was buried Feb. 17 in his Wade jersey.
"You really can't put that in words. You hurt for the family," Wade told reporters Monday. "If you ever get the opportunity to speak to them, you just try to hope the time where he was alive that you were able to bring some type of joy to his life and something memorable. A story that his family and you guys can talk about."
Before he was gunned down in a mass shooting at the Parkland, Florida, high school, Oliver, 17, was excited about Wade's return to the Heat.
Wade, who had played in Miami before leaving for Chicago and then Cleveland, returned to the Heat about a week before the shooting at Stoneman Douglas that killed 14 students and three adults. Wade responded to the news of Oliver being buried in a Wade jersey by tweeting, "You're about to make me cry this afternoon."
"Like I said, I retweeted on Twitter, you're going to make me cry," Wade said. "It's emotional even thinking about that, that his parents felt that, buried him in my jersey was something that he wanted. I take pride in what I've done in this state and what I've meant for the youth. I appreciate it."
Wade also took to Twitter to point out that how he affected Oliver's life shows that athletes should continue to speak up on topics in which they believe.
This is Joaquin Oliver. He was one of the 17 young lives that were lost tragically at Douglas HighSchool in Parkland. Joaquin was one of many that i heard was excited about my return to Miami and yesterday was buried in my jersey. This is why we will not just SHUT up and dribble! pic.twitter.com/X0tfTTao33
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) February 26, 2018
It's way BIGGER than basketball. We are the voices for the people that don't get to be heard. Joaquin Oliver may you Rest In Peace and i dedicate my return and the rest of this Miami Heat season to you. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) February 26, 2018
Wade and the Heat will be back in action Tuesday night at home against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
