Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr. (; born January 17, 1982) is an American former professional
basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball (approximately in diameter) through the defender's h ...
player.
Wade spent the majority of his 16-year career playing for the
Miami Heat of the
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball sports league, league in North America. The league is composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada) and is one of the major professional sports leagues i ...
(NBA) and won three
NBA championships, was a 13-time
NBA All-Star
The National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Game is an annual exhibition basketball game. It is the main event of the NBA All-Star Weekend. Originally, the All-Star Game featured a conference-based format, featuring a team composed of ...
, an 8-time member of the
All-NBA Team
The All-NBA Team is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) honor bestowed on the best players in the league following every NBA season. The voting is conducted by a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. The team has been sele ...
, and a 3-time member of the
All-Defensive Team. Wade is also Miami's all-time leader in points, games, assists, steals, shots made, and shots taken. Wade is currently the host of the American adaptation of
The Cube
''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in En ...
.
After a successful
college basketball
In United States colleges, top-tier basketball is governed by collegiate athletic bodies including National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the United States Collegiate Athleti ...
career with the
Marquette Golden Eagles, including leading the team to the
Final Four in 2003, Wade was drafted fifth overall in the
2003 NBA draft by the Heat. In his third season, Wade led the Heat to their first
NBA Championship and was named the
2006 NBA Finals MVP. At the
2008 Summer Olympics, Wade led the
United States men's basketball team, commonly known as the "
Redeem Team
The men's national basketball team of the United States won the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. They qualified for the Olympics by winning the 2007 FIBA American Championship held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team was nic ...
", in scoring and helped them capture the gold medal. In the
2008–09 season, Wade led the league in both total points (2,386) and points per game (30.2), the latter stat earning him his sole
NBA scoring title. Wade was selected as the
NBA All-Star Game MVP in
2010. With
LeBron James
LeBron Raymone James Sr. (; born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "King James", he is widely considered one of the greatest pl ...
and
Chris Bosh, Wade helped guide Miami to four consecutive NBA Finals from 2011 to 2014, and won back-to-back championships in
2012
File:2012 Events Collage V3.png, From left, clockwise: The passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia lies capsized after the Costa Concordia disaster; Damage to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey as a result of Hurricane Sandy; People gather ...
and
2013
File:2013 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: Edward Snowden becomes internationally famous for leaking classified NSA wiretapping information; Typhoon Haiyan kills over 6,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia; The Dhaka garment ...
. Wade briefly left Miami to play for the
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded on Januar ...
and the
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers (often referred to as the Cavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland. The Cavaliers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Ea ...
throughout 2016–2018 before returning to Miami to finish his playing career and retire with the Heat in 2019. The Heat retired his #3 jersey in 2020. He purchased a minority ownership stake in the
Utah Jazz in 2021. In October 2021, Wade was honored as one of the league’s greatest players of all-time by being named to the
NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Wade is widely regarded as one of the greatest
shooting guards in NBA history.
Early life
Wade was born the second of two children to JoLinda and Dwyane Wade Sr. in
Chicago
(''City in a Garden''); I Will
, image_map =
, map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago
, coordinates =
, coordinates_footnotes =
, subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...
,
Illinois
Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Roc ...
, on January 17, 1982. Wade attributes the uncommon spelling of his and his father's first name to his grandmother.
JoLinda already had two children when she married Wade's father, and with him she had Dwyane and his older sister Tragil. The pair separated when Wade was four months old. Wade described his early childhood in the
South Side of Chicago as trying.
When his parents divorced, JoLinda was given custody of the two children. JoLinda struggled with drug addiction and often committed crimes, sending her to prison. At eight years old, Tragil tricked her brother into thinking they were going to the movies, only to take him to live with his father and stepmother. Wade visited his mother on occasion until his father moved the family to
Robbins, Illinois
Robbins is a village southwest of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,629 at the 2020 census. Darren E. Bryant is the current mayor of Robbins. It is the second oldest Black incorporated town in the north follo ...
, after which Wade would not see her for two years.
Wade turned to basketball and football, avoiding the temptations of drugs and gangs. Wade credited Tragil as the person most responsible for pointing him in the right direction.
Wade grew up idolizing
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), also known by his initials MJ, is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. His biography on the official NBA website states: "By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the g ...
and modeled his game after him.
[Gregory, Sean]
"Dwyane Wade's Rarefied Air."
'' time.com'', June 21, 2006, Retrieved May 15, 2008. On October 14, 2001, as Wade's basketball career blossomed, JoLinda vowed to turn her life around. She says that she has not used drugs since 2003.
High school career
Wade played basketball and football for
Harold L. Richards High School
Harold L. Richards High School is a co-ed Public high school located in Oak Lawn, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, and is a member of Illinois school District 218.
The school opened in 1965, named for District Superintendent Dr. Harold Leland Ric ...
in
Oak Lawn. He immediately excelled as a
wide receiver and also played as a backup
quarterback
The quarterback (commonly abbreviated "QB"), colloquially known as the "signal caller", is a position in gridiron football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive platoon and mostly line up directly behind the offensive line. In modern Ame ...
, but success in basketball took longer.
He grew four inches by the start of his junior year and emerged as the team leader, averaging 20.7 points and 7.6 rebounds.
Wade's improvement continued into his senior year, when he averaged 27 points and 11 rebounds.
["Dwyane Wade."](_blank)
''www.askmen.com.'' Retrieved January 20, 2007. He led the Bulldogs to a 24–5 record and to a Class AA Eisenhower Sectional appearance. Wade set school records for points scored (676) and steals made (106).
, ''www.marquette.cstv.com.'' Retrieved January 20, 2007. He credited coach Jack Fitzgerald as a seminal and positive influence. Wade was
recruited to play basketball only by
Marquette,
Illinois State, and
DePaul, due to academic issues.
[Shipley, Amy]
"Schooled With Hard Knocks."
''The Washington Post
''The Washington Post'' (also known as the ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'') is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area and has a large n ...
'', May 10, 2005. Retrieved June 15, 2007.
College career
Wade committed to Marquette University in
Milwaukee
Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at th ...
,
Wisconsin
Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...
to play under coach
Tom Crean. In his freshman year, Wade was sidelined by
NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It also organizes the athletic programs of colleges and ...
Proposition 48, which set academic eligibility requirements for participation in
Division I sports. Effort and
tutor
TUTOR, also known as PLATO Author Language, is a programming language developed for use on the PLATO system at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign beginning in roughly 1965. TUTOR was initially designed by Paul Tenczar for use in c ...
ing sufficiently raised his academic standing so that he became eligible by the start of his sophomore year.
[Kamalsky, Matt]
"DraftExpressProfile: Dwyane Wade."
''www.draftexpress.com'', May 6, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
2001–02 season
Wade led the Marquette Golden Eagles in scoring with 17.8
points
Point or points may refer to:
Places
* Point, Lewis, a peninsula in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland
* Point, Texas, a city in Rains County, Texas, United States
* Point, the NE tip and a ferry terminal of Lismore, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
* Point ...
(ppg) and led
Conference USA
Conference USA (C-USA or CUSA) is an intercollegiate athletic conference whose current member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports. C-USA's offices are ...
in both steals per game with 2.47 and 2-point
field goals made with 205; he averaged 6.6 rebounds and 3.4
assists.
Marquette finished with a 26–7 record, their best since the 1993–94 season.
2002–03 season
Wade again led the school in scoring with 21.5
points
Point or points may refer to:
Places
* Point, Lewis, a peninsula in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland
* Point, Texas, a city in Rains County, Texas, United States
* Point, the NE tip and a ferry terminal of Lismore, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
* Point ...
and the Golden Eagles finished with a 27–6 record.
Three days after JoLinda was released from prison, she saw Wade play basketball for the first time in five years as Marquette upset the
Cincinnati Bearcats, 70–61, to capture the
Conference USA
Conference USA (C-USA or CUSA) is an intercollegiate athletic conference whose current member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports. C-USA's offices are ...
title on March 8, 2003. He helped bring the Golden Eagles to the
Final Four for the first time since their 1977 national championship season. Wade was subsequently named to the
All-America
The All-America designation is an annual honor bestowed upon an amateur sports person from the United States who is considered to be one of the best amateurs in their sport. Individuals receiving this distinction are typically added to an All-Am ...
First Team by the
Associated Press
The Associated Press (AP) is an American non-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. It produces news reports that are distributed to its members, U.S. n ...
(AP), making him the first basketball player from Marquette to receive the distinction since 1978.
Wade's performance during the Midwest Regional final drew national attention. Against a top-seeded
Kentucky
Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virgini ...
team, he delivered 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, including a memorable breakaway dunk, as Marquette upset the Wildcats, 83–69, and advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 1977. Wade's
triple double was the fourth ever recorded in NCAA tournament history. The Golden Eagles finished their season as No.6 in the
AP Poll
The Associated Press poll (AP poll) provides weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling 62 sportswriters and broa ...
, Marquette's highest ranking since 1976–77. Wade was named the MVP of the Midwest Regional. His performance earned him a high
NBA draft projection. As a result, Wade skipped his senior year to enter the
2003 NBA draft.
Marquette retired his jersey on February 3, 2007. It ordinarily requires student-athletes to have graduated for jersey retirement, but made an exception for Wade.
NBA career
Miami Heat (2003–2016)
Rookie year (2003–04)
Selected fifth in the
2003 NBA draft by the
Miami Heat, Wade became the highest ranked of only four Marquette first round draft picks.
["Dwyane Wade: Biography."](_blank)
NBA.com. Retrieved April 26, 2008. Wade quickly emerged as a productive player, averaging 16.2 points on 46.5%
shooting as well as 4 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
After a 5–15 start, the Heat gradually improved to finish 42–40 and qualify for the
playoffs
The playoffs, play-offs, postseason or finals of a sports league are a competition played after the regular season by the top competitors to determine the league champion or a similar accolade. Depending on the league, the playoffs may be eit ...
.
Wade served up outstanding postseason performances, particularly against the
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The Pacers were first est ...
during the
Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Wade earned a unanimous selection to the 2004
NBA All-Rookie Team and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting (after
LeBron James
LeBron Raymone James Sr. (; born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "King James", he is widely considered one of the greatest pl ...
and
Carmelo Anthony).
He placed among the top five rookies in several statistical categories, including second in field goal percentage, second in steals, third in scoring, fourth in assists, and fourth in minutes played.
In the first playoff game, Wade hit a running jumper with 1.3 seconds left in the final quarter to give the Heat an 81–79 victory over the
New Orleans Hornets. Winning that series 4–3, the Heat faced the Indiana Pacers, who were the top-seeded team with the best record in the NBA. The Heat lost the series 4–2. Wade became only the fourth rookie in the
shot clock era to lead his team points and assists during the postseason.
Breakthrough year (2004–05)
The Heat traded with the
Los Angeles Lakers for center
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal ( ; born March 6, 1972), known commonly as "Shaq" ( ), is an American former professional basketball player who is a sports analyst on the television program '' Inside the NBA''. O'Neal is regarded as one of the great ...
. Improving on their previous season's 42–40 record by 17 games, Miami went 59–23, leading the Eastern Conference.
Wade earned a reserve slot in the season's
All-Star Game
An all-star game is an exhibition game that purports to showcase the best players (the "stars") of a sports league. The exhibition is between two teams organized solely for the event, usually representing the league's teams based on region or d ...
; adding 14 points in 24 minutes of play.
In the first round of the
2005 playoffs, Wade averaged 26.3 points, 8.8 assists, and 6 rebounds a night while maintaining a 50% field-goal percentage as the Heat swept the
New Jersey Nets.
In the second round he averaged 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists per game as the Heat swept the
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Wizards compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The team plays ...
.
The Heat lost the Eastern Conference Finals 4–3 to the
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at L ...
, the previous season's champions. Wade scored 42 points in Game 2 and 36 in Game 3 despite playing with
sinusitis
Sinusitis, also known as rhinosinusitis, is inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the sinuses resulting in symptoms that may include thick nasal mucus, a plugged nose, and facial pain. Other signs and symptoms may include fever, he ...
,
the flu
Influenza, commonly known as "the flu", is an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms range from mild to severe and often include fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, coughing, and fatigue. These symptoms ...
, and a knee strain. He suffered a strained rib muscle in Game 5 that prevented him from playing in the sixth game and limited him in the seventh.
NBA champion and Finals MVP (2005–06)
In the
2005–06 season, Wade was elected to the
All-Star Game
An all-star game is an exhibition game that purports to showcase the best players (the "stars") of a sports league. The exhibition is between two teams organized solely for the event, usually representing the league's teams based on region or d ...
as a starter. During 30 minutes of play, he put up 20 points on 9-of-11 field goals. Wade finished the regular season averaging 27.2 points, 6.7 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.95
steals.
["Dwyane Wade."](_blank)
''www.databasketball.com.'' Retrieved January 28, 2007.
In the first round of the
2006 playoffs, Miami played the
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded on Januar ...
. Wade incurred several injuries, including a severely bruised hip during Game 5. He scored 15 of his 28 points while suffering intense pain, to give the Heat a 3–2 series lead. Wade led Miami past the Detroit Pistons despite experiencing
flu-like symptoms in Game 6.
["Heat Headed To First NBA Finals."](_blank)
''www.nba.com.'' Retrieved January 31, 2007. In the series-clinching contest, he landed 14 points and 10 assists.
During the
2006 NBA Finals, Miami faced the
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks (often referred to as the Mavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Dallas. The Mavericks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Conference Southwest Division. The ...
. Wade's 42, 36, and 43 points in Games 3, 4, and 5, respectively, helped the Heat go from a 0–2 deficit to a 3–2 series lead. In Game 3, Wade's 42 points tied his playoff-high and his 13 rebounds were a career-high. The Heat took Game 6 behind Wade's 36 points, taking the series 4–2, earning Wade the
Finals MVP trophy. He became the fifth-youngest player in NBA history to capture the Finals MVP award, and his 34.7 points were the Finals' third-highest among players in their first NBA Finals. His 33.8
player efficiency rating (PER) over the NBA Finals was ranked by
John Hollinger of
ESPN
ESPN (originally an initialism for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%). The ...
as the best since the
NBA-ABA merger.
[Hollinger, John]
"Greatest Finals performances - No. 1."
''www.espn.com'', June 15, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
Injuries and missing playoffs (2006–2008)
In the
2006–07 season, Wade missed 31 games due to injury; even so, he was elected to his third consecutive All-Star Game and received
All-NBA
The All-NBA Team is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) honor bestowed on the best players in the league following every NBA season. The voting is conducted by a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. The team has been sele ...
honors. He became the first guard to earn All-NBA honors after missing 31 or more games since
Pete Maravich.
The Heat struggled with injuries in general and were 20–25 on February 1, 2007. Playing the
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member team of the league's Western Conference (NBA), Western Conference Southwest Divisio ...
on February 21, 2007, Wade dislocated his left shoulder and left the court in a wheelchair.
Associated Press
The Associated Press (AP) is an American non-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. It produces news reports that are distributed to its members, U.S. n ...
"Wade injured in Riley's return; Heat lose to Rockets."
''www.espn.com.'' Retrieved February 21, 2007. Wade chose to delay surgery and instead rehabilitate his shoulder in time for the postseason.
["Wade says he'll try to return for playoffs."](_blank)
'www.espn.com'', March 5, 2007. Retrieved March 5, 2007. After missing 23 games, Wade returned to the active roster. Sporting a black shoulder sleeve, Wade played 27 minutes and notched 12 points and 8 assists in the 111–103 overtime loss.
["Wade's return doesn't spell win as Heat fall to Bobcats."](_blank)
''www.espn.com.'' Retrieved April 8, 2007. For the season, Wade averaged 27.4 points, 7.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.1 steals, while shooting 50% from the field; further, he finished the season as the NBA PER leader.
''www.basketball-reference.com.'' Retrieved April 18, 2007.
During the
2007 playoffs, Wade averaged 23.5 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per contest, but were swept in the first round by the Chicago Bulls. Post-playoffs, Wade underwent a pair of surgeries to repair his dislocated left shoulder and left knee, both of which proved successful. However, the knee ailment, commonly called "
jumper's knee", prevented Wade from joining
USA Basketball in the
Olympic Qualifying Tournament over that summer.
After missing the
Tournament of Americas' Olympic Qualifiers as well as the preseason and the first seven games, Wade began the
2007–08 season on November 14, 2007. Despite battling pain in his injured knee throughout the season, Wade was elected to his fourth consecutive
All-Star Game
An all-star game is an exhibition game that purports to showcase the best players (the "stars") of a sports league. The exhibition is between two teams organized solely for the event, usually representing the league's teams based on region or d ...
appearance. However, the Heat held the worst record in the NBA. Wade's knee problems led Riley sit Wade for the final 21 games to undergo long overdue
OssaTron treatment. Wade averaged 24.6 points, 6.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals.
Scoring champion and playoff defeats (2008–2010)
After months of rehab, he helped the
U.S. National Team win gold at the
2008 Olympics, leading the team in scoring. Wade returned to the starting lineup to begin the
2008–09 campaign. Early that season, Wade became the second player in NBA history to post at least 40 points, 10 assists and 5 blocks in one game since
Alvan Adams in
1976–77. Wade was elected to his fifth consecutive
All-Star Game
An all-star game is an exhibition game that purports to showcase the best players (the "stars") of a sports league. The exhibition is between two teams organized solely for the event, usually representing the league's teams based on region or d ...
.
After the All-Star break, Wade recorded 50 points on 56.6% shooting along with 5 rebounds and 5 assists during a blow-out loss to the
Orlando Magic;
["Magic cool down Heat despite Wade's career-high 50 points."](_blank)
''www.espn.com.'' Retrieved, February 23, 2009. making him the fourth in NBA history to score at least 50 points in a game that his team lost by at least 20.
In the very next contest, Wade recorded a career-high 16 assists and added 31 points and 7 rebounds. Wade became the second player to record 15 or more assists after scoring 50-plus points since
Wilt Chamberlain
Wilton Norman Chamberlain (; August 21, 1936 – October 12, 1999) was an American professional basketball player who played as a center. Standing at tall, he played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 14 years and is widely reg ...
. Two games later, Wade tied a franchise record, scoring 24 points in the final quarter to secure a 120–115 win over the
New York Knicks.
["Wade scores 46, 15 coming in a 19–0 run in the fourth, as Heat sink Knicks."](_blank)
''www.espn.com.'' Retrieved, March 1, 2009. For the game, Wade recorded 46 points on 55% field goal shooting, plus 10 assists, 8 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocked shots.
In the next game he banked 40-points versus the
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers (often referred to as the Cavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland. The Cavaliers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Ea ...
.
Wade put up 41 points on 53% shooting along with 9 assists, 7 steals, 7 rebounds and a block in the 107–100 loss.
["LeBron outduels Wade 42–41 as Cavs rally from 11 down in 4th quarter."](_blank)
''www.espn.com.'' Retrieved, March 4, 2009. The following game, Wade tied his career-high with 16 assists and added 35 points on 62% shooting, 6 rebounds, plus a steal and a block, as the Heat beat the
Phoenix Suns 135–129.
["Wade has 35 points, 16 assists in Heat victory."](_blank)
''www.espn.com.'' Retrieved, March 5, 2009. Wade became the only player in Heat history to have multiple games with 30-plus points and 15 or more assists.
Less than a week later, Wade hit the buzzer-beater and tied his earlier franchise record with his 78th straight double-digit scoring game in double-overtime against the
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded on Januar ...
.
['Wade helps Heat nip Bulls in double-overtime win."](_blank)
''www.espn.com.'' Retrieved, March 15, 2009. Wade finished the game with 48 points on 71.4% shooting, 12 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks in 50 minutes of play.
Wade joined Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to record that many points and that many assists in a single game while having as high of a field goal percentage. Two games later, Wade surpassed
Alonzo Mourning to become the Heat's all-time leading scorer in triple overtime versus the
Utah Jazz.
["Wade's 50 points, 10 boards lead Heat's 3OT win over Jazz."](_blank)
''www.espn.com.'' Retrieved, March 15, 2009. Wade finished that 140–129 victory with 50 points to go along with his 10 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks.
Wade became the only player to reach 2,000 points, 500 assists, 150 steals, and 100 blocks as well as the only player under to block upwards of 100 shots in a single season. He became the fifth player to accumulate 2,000 points, 500 assists, and 150 steals in a season. Wade helped the Heat clinch a playoff berth and become only the second team to make the postseason after winning 15 or fewer games the season before. In a 122–105 victory over the
New York Knicks, Wade recorded a career-high 55 points on 63% field goal shooting and added 9 rebounds and 4 assists.
["Wade drops in career-high 55 as Heat clinch East's 5th playoff spot."](_blank)
''www.espn.com.'' Retrieved April 13, 2009. Wade recorded 50 points in only three quarters and was pulled out of the game, one point shy of eclipsing
Glen Rice's 56-point franchise record.
Wade averaged a league-leading 30.2 points for his first
NBA scoring title. He added 7.5 assists, 5 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks.
Wade wrapped up the season with higher point, assist, steal, and block averages than James and
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant ( ; August 23, 1978 – January 26, 2020) was an American professional basketball player. A shooting guard, he spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Widely ...
, both of whom finished ahead of Wade in the MVP race.
On November 1, in what was only his third game of the
2009–10 season, Wade recorded his 10,000th career point during a 95–87 win against the
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded on Januar ...
. On November 12, Wade made a spectacular dunk over Cavalier
Anderson Varejão. James regarded the dunk as "great, probably top 10 all-time". Two days later against the
New Jersey Nets, Wade hit another buzzer beater for a one-point win at 81–80. On January 6, Wade scored a season-high 44 points during an overtime loss to the
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics ( ) are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. Founded in 1946 as one of ...
, the most in a losing effort that season. Wade appeared in the
2010 NBA All-Star Game
The 2010 NBA All-Star Game was an Exhibition game, exhibition basketball game that was played on February 14, 2010, during the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2009–10 NBA season, 2009–10 season. It was the 59th edition of the NBA All-S ...
. Wade was named
the game's MVP with 28 points, 11 assists, 5 steals and 6 rebounds.
On February 17, Wade strained his calf. He left the game, ending his personal and the Heat's franchise-record streak of 148 consecutive games with at least 10 points. Wade was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for the fifth time and Player of the Week twice for his play in the month of March. He averaged 26.9 and 7.5 assists, both of which ranked third in the Eastern Conference, and 2.3 steals per game, which ranked first. Wade recorded six 30-point games and had six double-doubles in the month, including a season-high 14 assists.
For the season, Wade averaged 26.6 points on 47.6% field goal shooting to go with 6.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.1 blocks; doing so, he led his team to a 47–35 record and the fifth
playoff seed.
In the first round, down 0–3 against the
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics ( ) are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. Founded in 1946 as one of ...
, Wade recorded a career playoff and franchise record with 46 points; he outscored the entire Celtics team in the fourth quarter. It was Wade's sixth career playoff game with at least 40 points.
Despite his averaging 33.2 points on 56.4% shooting, 6.8 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.6 blocks per contest, the Heat fell to Boston in five games.
Big Three era and back-to-back championships (2010–2014)
During the off-season, the
Miami-Dade County commission renamed the area "Miami-Wade County" from July 1 to 7, a week that coincided with the start of
free agency, intended to help convince Wade to stay with the Heat. On July 7, it was announced that Wade would sign with Miami, along with
Toronto Raptor star
Chris Bosh. The following day, LeBron James announced he would join the Heat.
In the first year of the Big 3 Era, the Heat finished with a 58–24 record and earned the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Wade averaged 25.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 50%. After defeating the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, and Chicago Bulls, the Heat reached the
NBA Finals but ultimately fell to the
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks (often referred to as the Mavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Dallas. The Mavericks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Conference Southwest Division. The ...
in
six games. Wade averaged 26.5
points
Point or points may refer to:
Places
* Point, Lewis, a peninsula in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland
* Point, Texas, a city in Rains County, Texas, United States
* Point, the NE tip and a ferry terminal of Lismore, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
* Point ...
, 7
rebounds
'Rebound' is a term used in sports to describe the ball (or puck or other object of play) becoming available for possession by either opponent after an attempt to put the ball or puck into the goal has been unsuccessful. Rebounds are generally ...
, and 5.2
assists for the Finals and 24.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists for the playoffs.
On February 26, 2012, Wade recorded the third
triple-double in the history of the
All-Star Game
An all-star game is an exhibition game that purports to showcase the best players (the "stars") of a sports league. The exhibition is between two teams organized solely for the event, usually representing the league's teams based on region or d ...
, posting 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, joining Jordan and James. On March 10, 2012, Wade made the game-winning shot against the
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The Pacers were first est ...
, giving the
Heat
In thermodynamics, heat is defined as the form of energy crossing the boundary of a thermodynamic system by virtue of a temperature difference across the boundary. A thermodynamic system does not ''contain'' heat. Nevertheless, the term is ...
a 93–91
overtime win. Wade finished the season averaging 22.1 points, 4.8 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 steals. The Heat defeated the
New York Knicks in 5 games and the
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The Pacers were first est ...
in six games. In Game 6 of the second round, Wade recorded 41 points and 10 rebounds. The Heat prevailed in seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals, beating the
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City. The Thunder compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference Northwest Division. The team plays i ...
in five games. Wade averaged 22.6 points. The Heat became the first team in NBA history to win a championship after trailing in three playoff series.
Before the start of the
2012–13 season, Wade underwent left knee surgery, missing the
2012 Summer Olympics. On December 26, 2012, playing the
Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont region, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg County. The population was 874,579 at the 2020 census, making Charlotte the 16th-most populous ...
, Wade kicked guard
Ramon Sessions in the
groin
In human anatomy, the groin (the adjective is ''inguinal'', as in inguinal canal) is the junctional area (also known as the inguinal region) between the abdomen and the thigh on either side of the pubic bone. This is also known as the medial co ...
. The following day, Wade was suspended by the NBA for one game. Wade finished the 2012–2013 season with averages of 21.2 points, 5 rebounds and 5.1 assists.
In the playoffs, injuries limited Wade to a career-low scoring average of 15.9 points per game, but he upped his average to 19.6 points during the NBA Finals against the
San Antonio Spurs. After the teams split the first two games in Miami, the Spurs took Game 3. In Game 4, Wade scored 32 points on 56 percent shooting to go with 6 steals as the Heat won 109–93. The Spurs took Game 5 despite Wade's 25 points and 10 assists. Wade scored 14 points in Miami's overtime win in Game 6, followed by 23 points and 10 rebounds in Game 7 as the Heat clinched their second straight championship and Wade's third title.
["2013 NBA Finals."](_blank)
''www.basketball-reference.com.'' Retrieved January 30, 2014.
In the 2013–14 season, Wade missed 28 games from injuries and the team's decision to rest him during "back-to-back" games. Wade averaged 19 points and posted a career-high 54% field goal percentage. In the playoffs, the team increased Wade's minutes, highlighted by a 28-point performance in Miami's second-round victory over the
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The Nets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. T ...
and a 23-point outing in a road victory against Indiana in the Eastern Finals. The Heat won the series in six games, advancing to their fourth straight NBA Finals. Wade averaged 19.1 points on 52 percent shooting, his best playoff percentage since 2010. The Heat lost to the
San Antonio Spurs in the
2014 NBA Finals in five games.
Post-Big Three era (2014–2016)
On June 28, 2014, Wade and teammates James and Bosh all opted out of their contracts in order to cut costs, but intended to re-sign. James then announced that he was returning to Cleveland. Wade re-signed with the Heat, joined by Bosh,
Udonis Haslem,
Chris Andersen and
Mario Chalmers as well as former rivals
Danny Granger and
Luol Deng.
In the
2014–15 season, Wade missed seven consecutive games due to a hamstring injury. On December 17, 2014, he scored a season-high 42 points, his highest total in almost four years, but Miami lost 105–87 to Utah. He was again named an All-Star but pulled out due to another hamstring injury. The Heat finished the season with a 37–45 record, as Wade missed the postseason for just the second time.
On June 29, 2015, Wade opted out of his contract, but then signed a one-year, $20 million contract. Wade hit just seven 3-point shots during the 2015–16 regular season. However, in the 2016 postseason, Wade converted on his first seven three-point shot attempts. Wade had never made more than five three-pointers in a row.
Chicago Bulls (2016–2017)
In July 2016, Wade joined his hometown team, the
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded on Januar ...
, on a two-year deal worth approximately $47 million. Initially, the Heat offered a two-year, $20 million contract, before increasing it to a two-year, $40 million offer, both of which Wade felt were unacceptable. The relationship ended badly with Wade and the Heat squabbling.
Wade teamed with
Jimmy Butler and
Rajon Rondo in Chicago.
In January 2017, the trio were all fined for criticizing their young teammates' effort. In March 2017, Wade sustained a fractured elbow,
returning for the playoffs,
but the Bulls were defeated 4–2 by the
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics ( ) are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. Founded in 1946 as one of ...
in the first round.
Cleveland Cavaliers (2017–2018)
On September 24, 2017, three months after trading Butler and waiving Rondo, the Bulls reached an agreement on a buyout with Wade.
Three days later, Wade signed with the
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers (often referred to as the Cavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland. The Cavaliers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Ea ...
, reuniting him with
Miami Heat teammate
LeBron James
LeBron Raymone James Sr. (; born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "King James", he is widely considered one of the greatest pl ...
. During the season, Wade objected to coach
Tyronn Lue
Tyronn Jamar Lue (pronounced ''Ta-RON LEW''; born May 3, 1977) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He formerly served as t ...
's plan to play him off the bench. Wade started for the Cavaliers in the first three games, but shot only 7-for-25. After a blowout loss to the
Orlando Magic in the third game, Wade volunteered to take a bench role, becoming leader of the second unit.
Return to Miami (2018–2019)
On February 8, 2018, at the NBA trade deadline, the Cavaliers overhauled their roster.
Acquiring guards
Jordan Clarkson,
George Hill,
Rodney Hood
Rodney Michael Hood (born October 20, 1992) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for Mississippi State and Duke ...
and
Cedi Osman, the Cavaliers
traded Wade back to the
Miami Heat in exchange for a protected 2024 second-round draft pick. At the funeral of Wade's long-time agent Henry Thomas in January, Wade mended relations with Riley. On February 9, in his first game, Wade was garnered a standing ovation and came off the bench in a 91–85 win over the
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball team based in Milwaukee. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded in 1968 ...
. On February 27, Wade scored a season-high 27 points as the Heat rallied to beat the
Philadelphia 76ers 102–101. On April 3, in a 101–98 win over the
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta. The Hawks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The team plays its home games at ...
, Wade reached 5,000 assists in a Heat uniform, becoming the ninth player to score 20,000 points and collect 5,000 assists with one team, joining
Karl Malone, Bryant, Jordan, James,
Larry Bird,
John Havlicek,
Oscar Robertson and
Jerry West
Jerome Alan West (born May 28, 1938) is an American basketball executive and former player. He played professionally for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). His nicknames included "Mr. Clutch", for his ability ...
. On April 16, Wade scored 28 points to end the 76ers' 17-game winning streak and lead the Heat to a 113–103 Game 2 win over Philadelphia and even the first-round playoff series. He passed
Larry Bird for 10th on the NBA's career postseason scoring list.
In the off-season, Wade announced his intentions to retire after the 2018–19 season, re-signing with the Heat on September 18. He missed seven games in mid-November due to the birth of his daughter. On November 25, Wade scored a season-high 35 points, the most ever by a Miami bench player. On December 9, he scored 25 points in his 1,000th career game. On January 6, 2019, Wade became the third player in NBA history to record at least 20,000 points, 5,000 assists, 4,000 rebounds, 1,500 steals, 800 blocks and 500 three-pointers. Wade was named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver as a special roster addition for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game, 2019 All-Star game, thus marking his 13th All-Star appearance.
Wade had received the second-most fan votes for guards in the Eastern Conference.
On April 9, Wade played his last home game in Miami, scoring 30 points. In his final game the following night, Wade recorded his fifth career triple-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
On January 7, 2020, the Heat announced that Wade's 3 jersey would be retired on February 22.
NBA executive career
During his playing career with Miami, Wade had discussed the potential for a future ownership stake in the Heat franchise but Wade was unable to commit at the time, according to Heat owner Micky Arison.
On April 16, 2021, it was announced that Wade had purchased an undisclosed minority ownership stake in the
Utah Jazz franchise of the NBA, joining an ownership group led by his personal friend and associate, Ryan Smith (businessman), Ryan Smith, the Jazz majority owner and team governor. Wade is a member of a small ownership group that includes Smith, his wife Ashley, investor and Accel partner Ryan Sweeney, Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes and the Gail Miller (businesswoman), Miller family, which previously owned the team.
Wade said in the announcement of his purchase that he hoped to take a hands-on approach to his involvement, and highlighted his close brother-like relationship with Jazz star Donovan Mitchell, who he called the player most like him and "2.0".
National team career
Wade was a member of the 2004 United States men's Olympic basketball team, 2004 Olympic team, which won a bronze medal in Athens. The team competed in the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan, in which Wade averaged 19.3 points per game. The U.S. national team won a bronze medal. Wade was named to the national team roster from 2006 to 2008; and, together with James and Anthony, Wade co-captained the 2006 team.
At the 2008 Summer Olympics, the United States went undefeated and captured gold medal honors after beating Spain national basketball team, Spain, the 2006 FIBA World Championship, 2006 World champions. Wade, who led the team in scoring, tallied a game-high 27 points in 27 minutes on 75% field goal shooting and added 4 steals, 2 assists, and 2 rebounds.
["2008 Olympic Basketball: Dwyane Wade."](_blank)
''www.fiba.com.'' Retrieved December 25, 2008. Wade averaged a team-high 16 points in 18 minutes on 67% field goal shooting, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2.3 steals, as the U.S. lived up to their 2008 United States men's Olympic basketball team, Redeem Team moniker and claimed gold medal honors for the first time since 2000.
Player profile
Listed at tall and weighing , Wade was a shooting guard who could play point guard, point as he did during his rookie season and with smaller lineups. On offense, he was one of the quickest and most difficult players to guard, as well as one of the best slasher (basketball), slashers in NBA history. Wade's signature one-two step allowed him to dash past bigger defenders and draw fouls.
[Hollinger, John]
"Hollinger stats-Dwyane Wade."
''www.espn.com.'' Retrieved January 20, 2007. Wade ranked first in free-throw attempts per 48 minutes in 2004–05 and again in the 2006–07 season. Wade was an unselfish player, averaging 5.4
assists for his career.
After winning the NBA Finals MVP Award in 2006, Wade developed a reputation as one of the league's premier clutch players.
David Thorpe, an athletic trainer who runs a training center for NBA players, cited Wade's post up, post-up game as one of his strengths.
[Thorpe, David]
"Scouting breakdown: The game's best post players."
''www.espn.com.'' Retrieved March 29, 2007. Thorpe said that Wade's best moves from the post were his turnaround jump shot,
double pivot,
and what Thorpe termed a "freeze fake",
[Thorpe, David]
"Scouting report: Best face-up games."
''www.espn.com.'' Retrieved March 29, 2007. a pump fake Wade used to get his opponent to jump, so that he could drive around him.
Wade's main weakness was Three-point field goal, three-point shooting; he averaged 29% for his career.
Wade was best known for his ability to convert difficult lay-ups, even after hard mid-air collisions with larger defenders.
His style drew concerns over the dangers of playing in this manner,
as Wade had hurt his knees and wrists after mid-air collisions with larger players. Wade established himself on defense for his ability to block shots and accumulate steals. He holds the NBA record for blocks by players listed and under, which he achieved in only 679 games; this is over 400 games less than the previous record-holder Dennis Johnson (1,100).
Career statistics
NBA
Regular season
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", 2003–04 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 61 , , 56 , , 34.9 , , .465 , , .302 , , .747 , , 4.0 , , 4.5 , , 1.4 , , .6 , , 16.2
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", 2004–05 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 77 , , 77 , , 38.6 , , .478 , , .289 , , .762 , , 5.2 , , 6.8 , , 1.6 , , 1.1 , , 24.1
, -
, style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;", †
, style="text-align:left;", 2005–06 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 75 , , 75 , , 38.6 , , .495 , , .171 , , .783 , , 5.7 , , 6.7 , , 1.9 , , .8 , , 27.2
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", 2006–07 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 51 , , 50 , , 37.9 , , .491 , , .266 , , .807 , , 4.7 , , 7.5 , , 2.1 , , 1.2 , , 27.4
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", 2007–08 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 51 , , 49 , , 38.3 , , .469 , , .286 , , .758 , , 4.2 , , 6.9 , , 1.7 , , .7 , , 24.6
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", 2008–09 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 79 , , 79 , , 38.6 , , .491 , , .317 , , .765 , , 5.0 , , 7.5 , , 2.2 , , 1.3 , , style="background:#cfecec;", 30.2*
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", 2009–10 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 77, , 77 , , 36.3 , , .476 , , .300 , , .761 , , 4.8 , , 6.5 , , 1.8 , , 1.1 , , 26.6
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", 2010–11 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 76, , 76 , , 37.1 , , .500 , , .306 , , .758 , , 6.4 , , 4.6 , , 1.5 , , 1.1 , , 25.5
, -
, style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;", †
, style="text-align:left;", 2011–12 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 49 , , 49 , , 33.2 , , .497 , , .268 , , .791 , , 4.8 , , 4.6 , , 1.7 , , 1.3 , , 22.1
, -
, style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;", †
, style="text-align:left;", 2012–13 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 69 , , 69 , , 34.7 , , .521 , , .258 , , .725 , , 5.0 , , 5.1 , , 1.9 , , .8 , , 21.2
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", 2013–14 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 54 , , 53 , , 32.9 , , .545 , , .281 , , .733 , , 4.5 , , 4.7 , , 1.5 , , .5 , , 19.0
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", 2014–15 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 62 , , 62 , , 31.8 , , .470 , , .284 , , .768 , , 3.5 , , 4.8 , , 1.2 , , .3 , , 21.5
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", 2015–16 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 74 , , 73 , , 30.5 , , .456 , , .159 , , .793 , , 4.1 , , 4.6 , , 1.1 , , .6 , , 19.0
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", 2016–17 Chicago Bulls season, Chicago
, 60 , , 59 , , 29.9 , , .434 , , .310 , , .794 , , 4.5 , , 3.8 , , 1.4 , , .7 , , 18.3
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", 2017–18 Cleveland Cavaliers season, Cleveland
, 46 , , 3 , , 23.2 , , .455 , , .329 , , .701 , , 3.9 , , 3.5 , , .9 , , .7 , , 11.2
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", 2017–18 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 21 , , 0 , , 22.2 , , .409 , , .220 , , .745 , , 3.4 , , 3.1 , , .9 , , .7 , , 12.0
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", 2018–19 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 72 , , 2 , , 26.2 , , .433 , , .330 , , .708 , , 4.0 , , 4.2 , , .8 , , .5 , , 15.0
, - class="sortbottom"
, style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career
, 1,054 , , 909 , , 33.9 , , .480 , , .293 , , .765 , , 4.7 , , 5.4 , , 1.5 , , .8 , , 22.0
, - class="sortbottom"
, style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", All-Star
, 12 , , 10 , , 23.8 , , .634 , , .250 , , .720 , , 3.6 , , 4.8 , , 2.3 , , .4 , , 15.7
Playoffs
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2004 NBA playoffs, 2004
, style="text-align:left;", 2003–04 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 13 , , 13 , , 39.2 , , .455 , , .375 , , .787 , , 4.0 , , 5.6 , , 1.3 , , .3 , , 18.0
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2005 NBA playoffs, 2005
, style="text-align:left;", 2004–05 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 14 , , 14 , , 40.8 , , .484 , , .100 , , .799 , , 5.7 , , 6.6 , , 1.6 , , 1.1 , , 27.4
, -
, style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;", 2006 NBA playoffs, 2006†
, style="text-align:left;", 2005–06 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 23 , , 23 , , 41.7 , , .497 , , .378 , , .808 , , 5.9 , , 5.7 , , 2.2 , , 1.1 , , 28.4
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2007 NBA playoffs, 2007
, style="text-align:left;", 2006–07 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 4 , , 4 , , 40.5 , , .429 , , .000 , , .688 , , 4.8 , , 6.3 , , 1.3 , , .5 , , 23.5
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2009 NBA playoffs, 2009
, style="text-align:left;", 2008–09 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 7 , , 7 , , 40.7 , , .439 , , .360 , , .862 , , 5.0 , , 5.3 , , .9 , , 1.6 , , 29.1
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2010 NBA playoffs, 2010
, style="text-align:left;", 2009–10 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 5 , , 5 , , 42.0 , , .564 , , .405 , , .675 , , 5.6 , , 6.8 , , 1.6 , , 1.6 , , 33.2
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2011 NBA playoffs, 2011
, style="text-align:left;", 2010–11 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 21 , , 21 , , 39.4 , , .485 , , .269 , , .777 , , 7.1 , , 4.4 , , 1.6 , , 1.3 , , 24.5
, -
, style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;", 2012 NBA playoffs, 2012†
, style="text-align:left;", 2011–12 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 23 , , 23 , , 39.4 , , .462 , , .294 , , .729 , , 5.2 , , 4.3 , , 1.7 , , 1.3 , , 22.8
, -
, style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;", 2013 NBA playoffs, 2013†
, style="text-align:left;", 2012–13 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 22 , , 22 , , 35.5 , , .457 , , .250 , , .750 , , 4.6 , , 4.8 , , 1.7 , , 1.0 , , 15.9
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2014 NBA playoffs, 2014
, style="text-align:left;", 2013–14 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 20 , , 20 , , 34.7 , , .500 , , .375 , , .767 , , 3.9 , , 3.9 , , 1.5 , , .3 , , 17.8
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2016 NBA playoffs, 2016
, style="text-align:left;", 2015–16 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 14 , , 14 , , 33.8 , , .469 , , .522 , , .781 , , 5.6 , , 4.3 , , .8 , , .9 , , 21.4
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2017 NBA playoffs, 2017
, style="text-align:left;", 2016–17 Chicago Bulls season, Chicago
, 6 , , 6 , , 31.7 , , .372 , , .353 , , .952 , , 5.0 , , 4.0 , , .8 , , 1.3 , , 15.0
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2018 NBA playoffs, 2018
, style="text-align:left;", 2017–18 Miami Heat season, Miami
, 5 , , 0 , , 25.4 , , .443 , , .000 , , .808 , , 4.2 , , 3.6 , , 1.4 , , .2 , , 16.6
, - class="sortbottom"
, style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career
, 177 , , 172 , , 37.8 , , .474 , , .338 , , .780 , , 5.2 , , 4.9 , , 1.5 , , 1.0 , , 22.3
College
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2001–02 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, 2001–02
, style="text-align:left;", Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball, Marquette
, 32 , , 32 , , 29.2 , , .487 , , .346 , , .690 , , 6.6 , , 3.4 , , 2.5 , , 1.1 , , 17.8
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, 2002–03
, style="text-align:left;", Marquette
, 33 , , 33 , , 32.1 , , .501 , , .318 , , .779 , , 6.3 , , 4.4 , , 2.2 , , 1.3 , , 21.5
, - class="sortbottom"
, style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career
, 65 , , 65 , , 30.7 , , .494 , , .333 , , .745 , , 6.5 , , 3.9 , , 2.3 , , 1.2 , , 19.7
Awards and honors
* 3× NBA champion: 2006, 2012, 2013
*Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award, NBA Finals MVP: 2006
* NBA scoring champion: 2009
*NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award, 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 Sportsman of the Year, ''Sports Illustrated'' Sportsman of the Year
* 2006 Sporting News Sportsman of the Year, ''Sporting News'' Sportsman of the Year
*Wade won the 2012–13 season-long NBA Community Assist Award
Off the court
Wade married his high school girlfriend Siohvaughn Funches in 2002. They split in 2007, and he divorced her in 2010 after an acrimonious court battle. In 2011, Wade was granted sole custody of his two children. Wade also raises a nephew, the son of Wade's sister Deanna.
Wade began dating actress Gabrielle Union in 2008. According to Wade, he and Union briefly split up at some point early in 2013 due to career demands.
During that time, Wade and Aja Metoyer conceived a son. Wade and Union became engaged in December 2013 and married on August 30, 2014, in Miami, Florida, Miami. On November 7, 2018, Wade became a father for the fourth time, when he and Union welcomed their daughter, who was born via surrogate. In 2020, Wade's 12-year-old child came out as a transgender girl and changed her name to Zaya.
Wade's nicknames include D-Wade and Flash, which was given to him by former teammate
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal ( ; born March 6, 1972), known commonly as "Shaq" ( ), is an American former professional basketball player who is a sports analyst on the television program '' Inside the NBA''. O'Neal is regarded as one of the great ...
who would sing, "He's the greatest in the Universe", in reference to the Queen (band), Queen song Flash (song), of the same name from the 1980 film ''Flash Gordon (film), Flash Gordon''. The Heat's 2005 NBA playoffs run and Wade's performances while O'Neal was hampered by injury, led to media attention and rapid increase in Wade's popularity. During those playoffs, Wade's jersey became the league's top-selling jersey and remained so for nearly two years.
["Bryant passes Wade for top-selling jersey at NBA stores."](_blank)
''www.espn.com'', January 10, 2007. Retrieved May 14, 2007. After the Heat's success and Wade's memorable performances during the 2006 NBA playoffs, Wade appeared on several talk shows, including ''Late Show with David Letterman'' and ''Live with Regis and Kelly''. He also made a guest star appearance on Disney Channel's ''Austin & Ally'' as himself, who is an obsessed fan of Austin Moon.
Wade has been featured in magazine articles and publications. In 2005, he was featured on People Magazine, ''People'''s 50 Most Beautiful People, and in 2006 he was named the NBA's best-dressed player by GQ Magazine, ''GQ''. In 2007, Esquire (magazine), ''Esquire'' named him to their 4th annual Best Dressed Men in the World list for the second straight year. Wade's endorsement deals included Gatorade, Lincoln (automobile), Lincoln, Staples Inc., Staples, Sean John, T-Mobile (his TV commercials paired him with Charles Barkley), and Topps. He had his own line of shoes with Converse (shoe company), Converse named "The Wade" and a series of Danger Hiptop, Sidekick phones known as the D-Wade Edition with T-Mobile. During the 2009–10 season, Wade switched from Converse to Nike's Jordan Brand.
["Jumpman: Wade ditches Converse for Jordan Brand."](_blank)
''www.nba.com.'' Retrieved July 17, 2009. Wade was chosen by Jordan and debuted the Air Jordan 2010 during the 2010 NBA All-Star break. During the 2011 NBA playoffs, Wade debuted his first signature shoe for the Jordan Brand, joining Anthony and Chris Paul, who had their own signature shoes. After his Jordan Brand contract expired in 2012, Wade signed with the China, Chinese athletic brand Li-Ning. Wade was included in Time (magazine), ''Time'''s Time 100, list of the 100 most influential people of 2020. In April 2021, Wade became a minority owner of the
Utah Jazz. In October 2021, Wade's eldest son, Zaire Wade got drafted by the Salt Lake City Stars, which is the NBA G League affiliate of the
Utah Jazz.
In March 2021, when asked about
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), also known by his initials MJ, is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. His biography on the official NBA website states: "By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the g ...
, Wade stated that Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. He explained, "I come from a Jordan era. I am biased and I'm going to be biased until the day I pass away. Michael Jordan will be my GOAT. I'm not taking anything away from LeBron. LeBron is amazing. But Michael Jordan is my GOAT." Wade stated that Michael Jordan was his favorite player growing up. He explained, "For me, from Chicago, where I grew up, I made it out the hood because I seen a dude, No. 23, play the game of basketball at a level that I was like, I just want to do some of that."
Philanthropy
Wade is well known for his philanthropic involvement. In 2003, he founded The Wade's World Foundation, which provides support to community-based organizations that promote education, health, and social skills for children in at-risk situations.
["Get To Know Us: Wade's World Foundation."](_blank)
''www.wadesworldfoundation.org.'' Retrieved February 8, 2014. He hosts a variety of community outreach programs in
Chicago
(''City in a Garden''); I Will
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and Florida, South Florida.
In 2008, he announced his partnership with former teammate
Alonzo Mourning's charitable foundation and co-hosted ZO's Summer Groove, an annual summer event. On December 24, 2008, Wade purchased a new home for a South Florida woman whose nephew accidentally burned down the family home.
["Wade Helps Family Displaced by Fire."](_blank)
''www.espn.com'', December 24, 2008. Retrieved, February 8, 2014. In addition, Wade donated furnishings, clothing and gifts to the family.
After breaking his own
Miami Heat single-season scoring record, Wade gave the jersey he wore in that night's victory to 8-year-old Michael Stolzenberg, an avid Heat fan who lost his hands and feet due to a bacterial infection.
Associated Press
The Associated Press (AP) is an American non-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. It produces news reports that are distributed to its members, U.S. n ...
"Dwyane Wade gives jersey to sick boy after Miami Heat game."
''www.espn.com'', March 24, 2009. Retrieved February 8, 2014. Wade stated that he knew Stolzenberg previously and wished to add to his collection of Heat memorabilia.
Wade is known for visiting other sick children, usually in private to avoid the media spotlight.
In September 2009, Wade donated money from his foundation to keep the Robbins, Illinois, Robbins, Illinois public library from having to shut down.
["NBA's Dwyane Wade helps out struggling Robbins library with $25,000 check."](_blank)
''www.articles.chicagotribune.com'', September 11, 2009. He handed library director Priscilla Coatney a $25,000 check in order to resurrect the building. In January 2010, Wade and Mourning co-founded The Athletes Relief Fund for Haiti",
["Mourning, Wade raise money for Haiti."](_blank)
''www.espn.com'', January 18, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2014. which raised money to help the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. In the three days after the fund began soliciting donations from athletes, Wade announced that the "Athletes Relief Fund for Haiti" had already raised over $800,000.
Wade stated, "I expected nothing less from my friends and colleagues in the sports community, our commitment to this cause knows no bounds, and we will continue to accept any and all donations throughout the days ahead."
Wade is also an avid supporter of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and served as an Ambassador for their Hoops for St. Jude basketball initiative.
["NBA Stars Launch Hoops for St. Jude Week."](_blank)
''www.lookthestars.org'', March 28, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
Religion
Wade is a Christian and chose the number 3 throughout most of his career because it represents the Holy Trinity. He tithes 10% of his salary to a church in Chicago.
His mother, Jolinda, strengthened her ties to Christianity in 2001 after years of drug problems. She served as a minister during her final prison sentence in 2002 and 2003. She was ordained as a Baptist minister in January 2007 and formed the non-denominational Temple of Praise Binding and Loosing Ministry in Chicago. In May 2008, Wade purchased a church building for his mother's ministry.
["Big offering: Wade gives mother a church."](_blank)
''www.usatoday.com'', May 18, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
Television
In 2019, Wade appeared as a guest judge on season 14 of ''America's Got Talent'' alongside wife Gabrielle Union.
In 2021, it was said that Wade will be the host of The Cube (British game show)#International versions, The Cube, which is currently aired on TBS (American TV channel), TBS.
Controversy
In July 2020, Wade tweeted in support of Nick Cannon, who was fired from ViacomCBS after making racist remarks and endorsing antisemitic conspiracy theories. Following some backlash, Wade later deleted his tweet and clarified that he had expressed his support of "[Cannon's ownership of] the content and [the] brand he helped create", and affirmed that he has "zero tolerance for any hate speech."
See also
* List of National Basketball Association annual scoring leaders
* List of National Basketball Association career scoring leaders
* List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders
* List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders
* List of National Basketball Association career turnovers leaders
* List of National Basketball Association career free throw scoring leaders
* List of National Basketball Association franchise career scoring leaders
* List of National Basketball Association career playoff scoring leaders
* List of National Basketball Association career playoff assists leaders
* List of National Basketball Association career playoff steals leaders
* List of National Basketball Association career playoff turnovers leaders
* List of National Basketball Association career playoff free throw scoring leaders
* List of Olympic medalists in basketball
* History of the Miami Heat
* 2002–03 Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball team
References
External links
*
Marquette bio2008 US Olympic bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wade, Dwyane
1982 births
Living people
2006 FIBA World Championship players
African-American basketball players
African-American Christians
All-American college men's basketball players
American men's basketball players
American philanthropists
Basketball players at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Basketball players at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Basketball players from Chicago
Chicago Bulls players
Cleveland Cavaliers players
Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball players
Medalists at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Miami Heat draft picks
Miami Heat players
National Basketball Association All-Stars
Olympic bronze medalists for the United States in basketball
Olympic gold medalists for the United States in basketball
People from Oak Lawn, Illinois
People from Robbins, Illinois
Philanthropists from Illinois
Shooting guards
United States men's national basketball team players
21st-century African-American sportspeople
20th-century African-American people