For Hong Kong basketball fans, 8 October brought the kind of moment usually experienced through a screen. Dwyane Wade was in the city for the Li-Ning Hong Kong Tour and visited the brand’s Hopewell Centre store in Wan Chai.
Fans gathered to meet the three-time NBA champion, bringing shoes, jerseys and personal memorabilia for him to sign. Wade spent time chatting with the crowd, posing for photos and sharing an afternoon with people who had followed his career for years.
An Afternoon With Hong Kong Basketball Fans
During the event, Wade joined a quick-fire question session and spent time speaking with fans before signing their memorabilia.
Some arrived with collector’s shoes and personal items they had kept for years, finally getting the chance to have them signed by the former Miami Heat star.
The event also displayed 12 generations of Way of Wade basketball shoes, tracing the collection from Wade’s playing career through to his years after retirement.
Rather than keeping the appearance to a short stage presentation, Wade stayed for photographs and individual moments with fans, ending the afternoon with a group photo.
From Basketball To Chinese Calligraphy
Wade’s visit also moved away from the basketball court for a local cultural experience. Hong Kong calligraphy artist Chan Oi-ying guided him through traditional Chinese calligraphy, with Wade picking up a brush and writing the character “Tao” during the session.
The calligraphy piece was created at the Wan Chai event and will remain at the store as a memento of the visit.
Wade’s appearance came only weeks after Stephen Curry visited Hong Kong in September. For local basketball fans, the two visits brought two of the NBA’s most recognisable names to the city within a short space of time, with both appearances creating opportunities to see the players away from the court and meet them up close.
Image Credit: Lining | Dawning PR