Dwyane Wadehas given hisAmerica’s Got TalentGolden Buzzer to V.Unbeatable Dance Crew!
The retired NBA star, 37, bestowed the honor to the hip-hop dance group from Mumbai, India, on the second of four Judge Cuts episodes.
“As an athlete, I understand the importance of practice and discipline, as well as the sacrifices it takes to pursue your dreams,” Wade tells PEOPLE about the acrobatic troupe, which ranges in ages 12-27.
“Those kids blew my mind with their thrilling and jaw-dropping performance. They tugged at my heart too with their inspiring and emotional story,” Wade says. “I know America will be rooting for them.”
The former Miami Heat baller adds, “I hope my Golden Buzzer moment inspires others to never give up on their dreams.”
Before their performance, V.Unbeatable revealed that they have been dedicating theirAGTperformances to a former member named Vikas, who was paralyzed and died following an incident in a rehearsal years ago. “His dream was to be on a stage like this so, yes, we are doing all this for him,” one member told judges Simon Cowell, Julianne Hough, Howie Mandel and Gabrielle Union, who is married to Wade.
Trae Patton/NBC
“My heart is beating at a rapid pace that I haven’t felt before,” Wade said after his wife placed her hand on his chest to feel his heartbeat.
“As a former athlete … I know the practice and sacrifice it takes,” he said before pushing the Golden Buzzer.
“It was so much power, obviously the riskiness. Some people are just dance crews and some people are just acrobats. You have the combination of both. You should be very, very proud,” Hough told the dance group.
“To see your enthusiasm and really taking it in that you’re on theAmerica’s Got Talentstage, these are times that we need each other because trust me, we need you and hopefully we can do something in return back to you,” Cowell said.
Wade recently told PEOPLE about the joys of working with his wife Union on the show.
“Joining my wife as a guest judge onAmerica’s Got Talentwas such an incredible experience,” he said. “Watching her change people’s lives and make dreams come true was very special.”
America’s Got Talentairs Tuesdays (8 p.m. ET) on NBC.
source: people.com
