Dwyane Wade

At 42 years old, Dwyane Wade has this physical status:

Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr. (born January 17, 1982) is an American former professional basketball player.

Wade spent the majority of his 16-year career with the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Wade was drafted fifth overall in the 2003 NBA draft by the Heat after a fruitful college basketball career with the Marquette Golden Eagles.

Wade played for the Heat in their first NBA Championship in franchise history in his third season as the NBA Champions MVP in 2006.

Wade aided the United States men's basketball team, also known as the "Redeem Team," in scoring and helped them win the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Wade led the league in scoring in the 2008–09 season and gained his first NBA scoring title.

Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh, helped Miami win back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013.

Wade played for the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers until his time as a player for the Miami Dolphins in 2018.

Wade, a 13-time NBA All-Star, is Miami's all-time champion in points, games, assists, robbery, murders, shot made, and shots taken.

Early life

Wade was born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 17, 1982. He was the second of two children to JoLinda and Dwyane Wade Sr. Wade traces his and his father's first name to his grandmother. JoLinda had two children when she married Wade's father, and with him she had Dwyane and his older sister Tragil. When Wade was four months old, the pair broke apart. Wade described his youth on Chicago's South Side as trying.

JoLinda was given custody of the two children when his parents divorced. JoLinda suffered with heroin use and infrequently committed crimes, earning her incarceration. Tragil manipulated her brother into believing they were going to the theaters but not to have him live with his father and stepmother. Wade visited his mother on occasion before his father moved the family to Robbins, Illinois, after which Wade did not see her for two years.

Wade returned to basketball and football, avoiding the temptations of heroin and gangs. Wade credited Tragil as the one in charge of directing him in the right direction. Wade grew up idolizing Michael Jordan and modeled his game after him. JoLinda vowed to turn her life around on October 14, 2001, as Wade's basketball career flourished. She claims she hasn't used drugs since 2003.

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High school career

Wade played basketball and football for Harold L. Richards High School in Oak Lawn. He began as a wide receiver but basketball took longer. He grew four inches in his junior year and emerged as the team's captain, averaging 20.7 points and 7.6 rebounds.

Wade's development continued into his senior year, when he hit 27 points and 11 rebounds. He led the Bulldogs to a 24-5-2 record and a Class AA Eisenhower Sectional appearance. Wade set school records for points scored (676) and stealings made (106). Coach Jack Fitzgerald has been praised as a seminal and positive influence. Wade was only allowed to play basketball by Marquette, Illinois State, and DePaul due to academic difficulties.

College career

Wade accepted a scholarship to Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to work under coach Tom Crean. Wade was disqualified by NCAA Proposition 48, which established academic eligibility for participation in Division I sports in his freshman year. He was sufficiently educated by tutoring to ensure that he was ready by the start of his sophomore year.

Wade led the Marquette Golden Eagles in scoring with 17.8 points (ppg) and led Conference USA with 2.47 and 2-point field goals made with 205, with 5.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists. Marquette set a record of 26–7, their highest mark since the 1993–94 season.

Wade led the school in scoring with 21.5 points, and the Golden Eagles finished with a 27-26 record. For the first time in five years, three days after JoLinda was released from jail, Wade saw him play basketball for the first time in five years as Marquette defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats, 70–61, to win the Conference USA championship. For the first time since the Golden Eagles' 1977 national championship season, he helped bring them to the Final Four. Wade was then named by the Associated Press (AP) as the first basketball player from Marquette to be named on the All-America First Team since 1978, making him the first basketball player from Marquette to be honoured since 1978.

Wade's participation in the Midwest Regional final attracted national notice. Marquette defeated the Wildcats, 83-69, winning the Final Four for the first time since 1977. He delivered 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, including a memorable breakaway dunk. Wade's triple double was the fourth time a triple double was ever recorded in NCAA tournament history. The Golden Eagles finished their season as No. 6 in the AP Poll, marking Marquette's highest ranking since 1976–77. Wade was named MVP of the Midwest Regional Championship. His success earned him a high draft pick projection. Wade skipped his senior year to enter the 2003 NBA draft.

On February 3, 2007, Marquette retired his jersey. It ordinarily requires student-athletes to have graduated for jersey retirement, but Wade made an exception.

NBA career

Wade, who was ranked fifth in the 2003 NBA draft by the Miami Heat, was one of only four Marquette first round draft picks. Wade exploded on the offensive front with 16.2 points on 46.5% shooting, as well as 4 rebounds and 4.5 assists. The Heat gradually improved to finish 42-41, qualifying for the playoffs, after a 5-15 record. During the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Wade put up a superb postseason show, particularly against the Indiana Pacers. Wade was unanimously selected to the 2004 NBA All-Rookie Team and came third in Rookie of the Year polls (after LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony). He came in second place in several statistical categories, including second in field goal percentage, second in steals, third in scoring, fourth in assists, and fourth in minutes played.

Wade scored a running jumper with 1.3 seconds left in the first quarter to put the Heat over the New Orleans Hornets 81-79. The Heat beat the Indiana Pacers, the top-seeded team with the best record in the NBA, winning the series 4-3. The Heat lost the series 4–2. Wade was only the fourth rookie in the shot clock era to lead his team in terms of points and assists in the postseason.

Shaquille O'Neal, a center for the Los Angeles Lakers, has been traded to the Heat. Miami defeated 59–23, leading the Eastern Conference after improving on their previous season's 42–40 record by 17 games. Wade was granted a reserve spot in the season's All-Star Game, totaling 14 points in 24 minutes of play.

Wade averaged 26.3 points, 8.8 assists, and 6 rebounds a night, while maintaining a 50% field-goal average as the Heat thrashed the New Jersey Nets. As the Heat defeated the Washington Wizards in the second round, he averaged 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists per game. The Heat lost the Eastern Conference Finals, 4–3 to the Detroit Pistons, the previous season's champions. Despite playing with sinusitis, the flu, and a knee strain, Wade scored 42 points in Game 2 and 36 in Game 3. In Game 5, he had a strained rib muscle that prevented him from participating in the sixth game and restricted him from participating in the seventh.

Wade was selected as a starter in the 2005–06 season. He scored 20 points on 9 of-11 field goals in 30 minutes of play. Wade averaged 27.2 points, 6.7 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.95 steals during the regular season.

Miami met the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2006 playoffs. During Game 5, Wade sustained multiple injuries, including a bruised hip. He scored 15 of his 28 points despite being in a lot of pain, giving the Heat a 3–2 series lead. Despite suffering flu-like symptoms in Game 6, Wade led Miami past the Detroit Pistons. He landed 14 points and 10 assists in a series-clinching match.

Miami met the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals in 2006. Wade's 42, 36, and 43 points in Games 3, 4, 5, and 5, respectively, helped the Heat go from a 0–2 deficit to a 3–2 series lead. Wade's 42 points in Game 3 tied his playoff record, and his 13 rebounds were a career-high. Wade had 36 points in Game 6 and ended the series 4–2, winning Wade the Finals MVP award. He was the fifth-best player in NBA history to win the Finals MVP award, and his 34.7 points were the third-highest among players in the Finals. ESPN's John Hollinger of ESPN rated him as the highest since the NBA-ABA merger in 33.8 percent.

Wade missed 31 games due to injury in 2006–07 season, but even so, he was named to his third straight All-Star Game and was awarded All-NBA honors. After missing 31 or more games since Pete Maravich, he became the first guard to earn All-NBA awards. The Heat fought with injuries in general and on February 1, 2007, they were 20-25. Wade dislocated his left shoulder and left the court in a wheelchair while playing with the Houston Rockets on February 21, 2007. Wade decided to postpone surgery and instead rehabilitate his shoulder in time for the postseason. Wade returned to the active roster after missing 23 games. Wade played 27 minutes and notched 8 points and 8 assists in the 111-103 overtime loss, sporting a black shoulder sleeve. Wade averaged 27.4 points, 7.8 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.1 steals on the season, while shooting 50% from the field; further, he finished as the NBA's PER leader.

Wade averaged 23.5 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game during the 2007 playoffs, but the Chicago Bulls defeated him in the first round. Wade underwent two surgeries to restore his dislocated left shoulder and left knee, both of which were fruitful. However, Wade was unable to participate in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament because of his knee injury, commonly referred to as "jumper's knee."

Wade started the 2007–08 season on November 14, 2007, after missing out on the Tournament of Americas' Olympic Qualifiers, as well as the preseason and the first seven games. Wade was elected to his fourth straight All-Star Game appearance despite dealing with injuries in his ankle throughout the season. However, the Heat had the lowest attendance in the NBA on record. Riley and Wade were forced to miss the final 21 games due to long overdue OssaTron therapy, owing to Wade's knee injuries. Wade had 24.6 points, 6.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals.

He helped the United States National Team win gold at the 2008 Olympics, leading the team in scoring after months of recovery. Wade returned to the starting lineup in the 2008–09 campaign. Wade became the first NBA player to record at least 40 points, ten assists, and 5 blocks in a single game since Alvan Adams in 1976–77. Wade was selected to his fifth straight All-Star Game.

Wade scored 56% shooting along with 5 rebounds and 5 assists during a blow-out loss to the Orlando Magic on Friday, his fourth in NBA history to score at least 50 points in a game that his team lost by at least 20 points. Wade had a career-high 16 assists and grabbed 31 points and 7 rebounds in the very next game. Since scoring 50-plus points since Wilt Chamberlain, Wade became the second player to record 15 or more assists. Wade tied a franchise record by scoring 24 points in the final quarter, securing a 120-115 victory over the New York Knicks. Wade earned 46 points on 55% field goal shooting, assassinated, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, and three blocked shots. He banked 40 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the next game. In the 107-100 loss, Wade put up 41 points on 53% shooting, as well as 9 assists, 7 steals, 7 rebounds, and a block. Wade put up 16 assists and 35 points on 62% shooting, 6 rebounds, plus a block, and a block as the Heat defeated the Phoenix Suns 135-129. Wade reached his career high with 16 assists and 35 points on 62% shooting, 6 rebounds, plus a steal, and a block. Wade was the first player in Heat history to have multiple games with 30-plus points and 15 or more assists. Wade tied his first franchise record with his 78th straight double-digit scoring game against the Chicago Bulls less than a week later. Wade finished the game with 48 points, 12 assists, 6 steals, and 3 blocks in 50 minutes of play. Wade is the first player in NBA history to have that many points and assists in a single game while also having a high field goal percentage. Wade beat Alonzo Mourning in triple overtime versus the Utah Jazz two games later. Wade won by 50 points in a 140-129 victory, with ten rebounds, 9 assists, 4 steals, and two blocks to go along with his 10 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 blocks.

Wade was the only player under 6 feet (5 inches) to block upwards of 100 shots in a single season, with 2,000 points, 500 assists, 150 blocks, and 100 blocks. In a season, he was the fifth player to reach 2,000 points, 500 assists, and 150 steals. After winning 15 or fewer games the season before, Wade helped the Heat earn a playoff berth and become only the second team to make the playoffs. Wade earned a career-high 55 points on 63% field goal shooting and 8 assists in a 122-105 victory over the New York Knicks, as well as 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Wade scored 50 points in only three quarters and was booted out of the game, one point shy of eclipsing Glen Rice's 56-point franchise record. Wade's first NBA scoring title earned him a whopping 30.2 points. He had 7.5 assists, 5 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks. Wade had a higher point, assist, robbery, and block average throughout the season than James and Kobe Bryant, both of whom finished ahead of Wade in the MVP competition.

Wade scored his 10,000th career point during a 95-87 victory over the Chicago Bulls on November 1, in what was only his third game of the 2009–10 season. Wade had a spectacular dunk over Cavalier Anderson Varejo on November 12, 112 to be exact. The dunk was described by James as "probably top ten all time." Wade defeated the New Jersey Nets by two days later in a one-point victory at 81–80. Wade earned a season-high 44 points against the Boston Celtics on Monday, the most in a losing effort this season. Wade appeared in the 2010 NBA All-Star Game. Wade had 28 points, 11 assists, 5 steals, and 6 rebounds to rank as the game's MVP.

Wade strained his calf on February 17, the first time he strained it. He left the game, snapping his personal and the Heat's franchise-record streak of 148 straight games with at least 10 points. Wade was named Player of the Month for the fifth time and Week for the second time this week, and Player of the Week twice for his action in the month of March. He had 26.9 and 7.5 assists, two of which were ranked third in the Eastern Conference and 2.3 steals per game, which placed second, among other things. Wade had six 30-point games and six double-doubles in the month, with a season-high 14 assists.

Wade shot for 26.6 percent on 47.6% field goal shootings, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.1 blocks; in doing so, he led his team to a 47-35 record and fifth playoff seed. Wade set a career playoff and franchise record of 46 points against the Boston Celtics in the first round; in the fourth quarter, he defeated the entire Celtics team. Wade's sixth appearance in a playoff game with at least 40 points was his sixth in his career. Despite his 33.2 points on 53.2 percent shooting, 6.8 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game, the Heat lost to Boston in five games.

The Miami-Wade County commission renamed the area "Miami-Wade County" from July 1 to 7, a week that coincided with the start of a free agency's efforts to convince Wade to stick with the Heat during the off-season. Wade and Toronto Raptor actor Chris Bosh joined Miami on July 7 after they revealed it on July 7. LeBron James announced that he would join the Heat the next day.

The Heat set a 58-24 record and secured their second seed in the Eastern Conference in the first year of the Big 3 Era. Wade averaged 25.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 50%. The Heat beat the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, and Chicago Bulls, but lost in six games to the Dallas Mavericks. Wade averaged 26.5 points, 7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists for the Finals, with 24.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists for the playoffs.

Wade scored 24 points, 10 rebounds, and ten assists on February 26, 2012, his third triple-double in the All-Star Game's history, leading Jordan and James. Wade made the game-winning shot against the Indiana Pacers on March 10, 2012, giving the Heat a 93–91 overtime victory. Wade ended the season with 22.1 points, 4.8 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 steals. In 5 games and six games, the Heat beat the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. Wade had 41 points and ten rebounds in Game 6 of the second round. In seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games. Wade scored 22.6 points on average. After losing in three playoff series, the Heat became the first team in NBA history to win a championship.

Wade underwent left knee surgery before the 2012 Summer Olympics, missing the 2012 Summer Olympics. Wade kicked guard Ramon Sessions in the groin on December 26, 2012, while playing for the Charlotte Bobcats. Wade was suspended by the NBA for one game the next day. Wade had a total of 21.2 points, 5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists during the 2012–2013 season.

Wade was limited to 15.9 points per game in the playoffs, but he boosted his average to 19.6 points against the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs took Game 3 after the teams split the first two games in Miami. Wade was on 54% shooting to go with 6 steals in Game 4 as the Heat beat the Heat 109-93. Despite Wade's 25 points and ten assists, the Spurs won Game 5. Wade scored 14 points in Miami's overtime victory in Game 6, followed by 23 points and ten rebounds in Game 7, as the Heat clinched their second straight championship and Wade's third title.

Wade missed 28 games due to illness and the team's decision to reserve him during "back-to-back" games in the 2013–14 season. Wade averaged 19 points and had a career-high 54% field goal percentage. Wade's minutes in the playoffs increased in the team's second-round victory over the Brooklyn Nets and a 23-point defeat in a road victory over Indiana in the Eastern Finals. The Heat won the series in six games, progressing to their fourth straight NBA Finals appearance. Wade's best playoff percentage since 2010 was 19.1 points on 51% shooting. In five games, the Heat lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2014 NBA Finals.

Wade and his coworkers James and Bosh all opted out of their contracts in order to save money, but they did not intend to re-sign on June 28, 2014, but not in the hopes of re-signing. James then revealed that he was returning to Cleveland. Wade resigned with the Heat, being joined by Bosh, Udonis Haslem, Chris Andersen, and Mario Chalmers, as well as former Danny Granger and Luol Deng.

Wade missed seven games in a row during the 2014–15 season due to a hamstring injury. He scored a season-high 42 points, his highest score in nearly four years, on December 17, 2014, but Miami lost 105-87 to Utah. He had been named an All-Star once more but had to cancel due to a hamstring strain. Wade missed the postseason for the second time as the Heat finished the season with a 37–45 record.

Wade opted out of his deal on June 29, 2015, but he later agreed to a one-year, $20 million contract. During the 2015-16 regular season, Wade made only seven 3-point shots. Wade converted on his first seven three-point shot attempts in the 2016 postseason. Wade had never made more than five three-pointers in a row.

Wade joined the Chicago Bulls, his hometown team, on a two-year contract worth nearly $47 million in July 2016. The Heat began as a two-year, $20 million deal before escalating it to a two-year, $40 million contract, both of which Wade found to be ineffective. Wade and the Heat squabble ended badly.

In Chicago, Wade collaborated with Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo. The trio was fined in January 2017 for criticizing their younger teammates' efforts. Wade sustained a fractured elbow while returning to the playoffs in March 2017, but the Bulls were defeated 4-2 by the Boston Celtics in the first round.

The Bulls and waving Rondo came to an agreement on a buyout with Wade on September 24, 2017. Wade signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers three days later, reuniting him with Miami Heat teammate LeBron James. Wade was furious with coach Tyrone Lue's decision to keep him off the bench during the season. Wade played for the Cavaliers in the first three games, but he only shot 7-for-25. Wade volunteered to play a bench role in the third game after a blowout loss to the Orlando Magic in the third game, becoming the team's leader.

The Cavaliers reloaded their roster on February 8, 2018, at the NBA trade deadline. The Cavaliers traded Wade back to the Miami Heat in exchange for a covered 2024 second-round draft pick. Wade mended relations with Riley at the funeral of Wade's long-time agent Henry Thomas in January. Wade won 91–85 over the Milwaukee Bucks in his first game on February 9. The Heat beat the Philadelphia 76ers 102-101 on February 27, Wade scored a season-high 27 points. Wade scored 5,000 points in a Heat uniform on April 3, beating the Atlanta Hawks by a 103-98 win, becoming the ninth player to score 20,000 points and receive 5,000 assists with one team, alongside Karl Malone, Bryant, Jordan, Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Oscar Robertson, and Jerry West. Wade threw out a 27-point victory over the 76ers' 17-game winning streak and led the Heat to a 113–103 victory over Philadelphia and even the first-round playoff series. He ranked Larry Bird for 10th on the NBA's career postseason scoring list.

Wade declared his intention to retire after the 2018–19 season in the off-season, re-signing with the Heat on September 18. Due to his daughter's birth, he missed seven games in mid-November. Wade scored a season-high 35 points on November 25, the most by a Miami bench player ever. In his 1,000th game, he scored 25 points on December 9. Wade made history by becoming the third NBA player to score at least 20,000 points, 5,000 assists, 4,000 blocks, and 500 three-pointers on January 6, 2019. Wade was selected by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver as a special roster member for the 2019 All-Star game, marking his 13th appearance on the All-Star stage. In the Eastern Conference, Wade received the second-most fan votes for guards. Wade played his last home game in Miami on April 9, scoring 30 points. Wade had his fifth triple-double in his last game, racking 11 points, and ten assists in his fifth game in his career.

Wade's No. 7 revealed on January 7, 2020. On February 22, 3 jersey will be retired.

NBA executive career

Wade had discussed the possibility of a future ownership interest in the Heat franchise during his playing career, but Heat owner Micky Arison said Wade was unable to commit at the time.

Wade had acquired an undisclosed minority interest in the Utah Jazz franchise of the NBA, joining a minority ownership group led by his personal friend and associate, Ryan Smith, Jazz majority owner and team governor, on April 16, 2021. Wade is a member of a small ownership group that includes Smiths, his wife Ashley, investor and Accel partner Ryan Sweeney, Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes and the Miller family, which previously owned the team.

Wade said in the announcement of his purchase that he wanted to take a hands-on approach to his participation and that he wanted to highlight his close brother-like relationship with Jazz star Donovan Mitchell, whom he referred to as "2.0" and "most like him."

National team career

Wade was a member of the 2004 Olympic team, which gained a bronze medal in Athens. Wade averaged 19.3 points per game in Japan during the 2006 FIBA World Championships, in which he averaged 19.3 points per game. The national team of the United States secured a bronze medal. Wade was recruited to the national team roster from 2006 to 2008; and, with James and Anthony, Wade co-captained the 2006 team.

After defeating Spain, the 2006 World champions, the United States went undefeated and earned gold medalist awards at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Wade, the team's scorer, scored a game-high 27 points in 27 minutes on 75% field goal shooting, with 4 steals, 2 assists, and 2 rebounds. Wade shot a team-high 16 points in 18 minutes on 67% field goal shooting, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2.3 steals as the United States prepared for their Redeem Team moniker and received gold medals for the first time since 2000.

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Awards and honors

• 3× NBA champion: 2006, 2012, 2013
• NBA Finals MVP: 2006
• NBA scoring champion: 2009
• NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2010
• 13× NBA All-Star: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019
• 8× All-NBA:
  • First Team: 2009, 2010
  • Second Team: 2005, 2006, 2011
  • Third Team: 2007, 2012, 2013
• 3× All-Defense:
  • Second Team: 2005, 2009, 2010
• NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2004
• NBA 75th Anniversary Team
• NBA Skills Challenge champion: 2006, 2007
• Gold medal with Team USA: 2008 Summer Olympic Games
• Bronze medal with Team USA: 2004 Summer Olympic Games
• Bronze medal with Team USA: 2006 FIBA World Championship
• Miami Heat all-time leading scorer
• Miami Heat all-time assists leader
• Miami Heat all-time steals leader
• 2005 Best Breakthrough Athlete ESPY Award
• 2006 Best NBA Player ESPY Award
• 2006 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year
• 2006 Sporting News Sportsman of the Year
• Wade won the 2012–13 season-long NBA Community Assist Award