Dwyane Wade Wants Daughter Zaya to Reach Her 'Full Potential': 'We've Got You No Matter What'

Photo: Gabrielle Union-Wade/Instagram Dwyane Wadecouldn’t be more supportive of his daughterZaya.Earlier this month, 12-year-old Zaya — whom the former NBA star, 38, raises with wifeGabrielle Union— came out as transgender, sharing with the worldher accepting outlook on life.As Wade tells PEOPLE during an exclusive interview, his hopes for his older daughter are the same as for his other children: “For them to see their full potential.”“As I’m raising [Zaya], as I’m raising my kids, you just try to put them in the best situations to be able to succeed in life,” he says.

Dwyane Wade Wants to Give His 12-Year-Old Child Zaya 'the Best Opportunity to Be Her Best Self'

Dwyane Wadeis a proud parent. DuringTuesday’s episodeofThe Ellen DeGeneres Show, the basketball star recalled the moment his12-year-old came outto him and wifeGabrielle Union, and also said that he hopes to give her “the best opportunity to be her best self.” “First of all, I think it’s what every parent should be is what you’re being right now,” DeGeneres told him. “Which is unconditionally loving your child and supporting your child in whoever they are.

Dwyane Wade Was Worried About Wife Gabrielle Union After Multiple Miscarriages Before Surrogacy

The journey toward welcoming their daughterKaavia Jameswasn’t without its physical (and mental) roadblocks forGabrielle UnionandDwyane Wade. “I’ve just always been of the mindset — because this is what people tell you: ‘You work hard, you do the right things, you’re a good person, it will happen for you,’ eventually,” says theBeing Mary Janestar, 46, who previously revealed in her memoirWe’re Going to Need More Winethat she hadsuffered “eight or nine miscarriages”after infertility and failed in vitro fertilization treatments.

Dwyane Wade Wishes Daughters Zaya and Kaavia Happy Valentine's Day: 'Daddy Loves You'

Dwyane Wadeis enjoying being a girl dad this Valentine’s Day.On Monday, the 40-year-old NBA star gave a special shout-out to his daughtersZaya, 14, andKaavia James, 3, posting individual photos of his girls to Instagram.“Happy Valentines Day! Daddy Loves you@zayawade💕” he captioned a photo of Zaya, to which she sweetly replied with several pink heart emojis.Wade also wrote alongside a snap of Kaavia, “Happy Valentine’s Day Daddy Girl❤️@kaaviajames#Itsherlegcrossforme.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Dwyane Wade's Daughter Kaavia, 4, Wishes Him a 'Great Birthday' in Sweet Video Message

Photo: Kaavia James Union Wade/Instagram Dwyane Wadeis getting a lot of birthday love from his little girl! Sharing a video from her account onInstagramTuesday, the sweet 4-year-old, whom he shares with Gabrielle Union, wished her dad a happy birthday in a recorded video. “Happy birthday, Daddy,” she begins, while wearing her hair in pigtails and wearing a Disney princess pajama shirt. “I know you’re going to have a great birthday, we’re going to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to you tomorrow, and it looks like you’re very happy to see me today.