Miami Heat

But who exactly is Dwyane Wade behind his gratifying success? The Real Dwayne “flash” Wade: Who is he?

EARLY LIFE

Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr. was born to JoLinda and Dwyane Wade on Chicago’s South Side. His father and stepmother raised him in Robbins after his parents were divorced. Wade has revealed that he models his game after former Chicago Bulls player Michael Jordan because Jordan was his idol as a youngster. In Oak Lawn, Wade attended Harold L. Richards High School. His stepbrother was the team captain during his sophomore year. Therefore, he did not get much playing time.

HIGH SCHOOL CAREER

Wade subsequently led his team to a 24-5 record in his senior year while averaging 27.0 points and 11.0 rebounds. Throughout the campaign, they reached the Class AA Eisenhower Sectional championship game. He established school records for points and stole in a season during the campaign. Wade’s academic issues made few institutions want to sign him because of his potential. He ultimately chose to enroll at Milwaukee’s Marquette University.

COLLEGE CAREER

Wade missed his rookie season due to academic issues. Wade led the Golden Eagles in scoring his sophomore year. His team’s 26-7 record was the best for the institution since his leadership’s 1993–1994 campaign. With a 27-6 form the following year, Marquette won the school’s first and only Conference USA title. Wade then guided the Golden Eagles to the Final Four. The Associated Press All-America Team selects Wade for the following season after the season.

NBA CAREER

(2003-2004)

In his rookie years of his NBA career, Wade’s performance in the 2003 NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional Final was one of his more memorable collegiate performances. Wade had a triple-double against the Kentucky Wildcats, scoring 29 points, pulling 11 rebounds, and dishing out 11 assists. Wade’s draft standing improved due to his outstanding performance in the tournament. He chooses to declare for the 2003 NBA draft as a result.

Wade was the highest ranked of only four Marquette first-round picks after the Miami Heat selected him in the fifth round of the NBA Draft in 2003. Wade quickly became an influential player, averaging 16.2 points on 46.5% shooting, four rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. The Heat began the game 5-15 but progressively got better to end 42-40 and advance to the playoffs.

Wade made impressive postseason efforts, earning him a spot on the 2004 NBA All-Rookie Team. He finished among the top five rookies in many statistical categories, including second in field goal percentage, second in steals, third in scoring, fourth in assists, and fourth in minutes played. Wade made a running jump shot in the opening playoff game, which helped the Heat defeat the New Orleans Hornets. Wade became just the fourth rookie to lead his club in points and assists during the postseason in the shot clock era.

Shaquille O’Neal, a center, was acquired by the Heat through a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Wade was given a spot as a reserve in the season’s All-Star Game. Wade led the Miami Heat to a rout of the New Jersey Nets in the first round of the 2005 playoffs, averaging 50% on the field. He contributed to the Miami Heat’s rout of the Washington Wizards in the second round with an average of 31 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists each game. The Miami Heat fell to the Detroit Pistons, the Eastern Conference’s runner-up, in the championship series 4-3. Even though he suffered from sinusitis, the flu, and knee discomfort, Wade scored 42 points in Game 2 and 36 in Game 3. In Game 5, he pulled a rib muscle, which kept him from playing in Game 6 and made him stop playing in Game 7.

(2005-2006)

The All-Star Game Selected Wade as a starter in the 2005–06 season. Miami faced the Chicago Bulls in the 2006 playoffs’ opening round and had several wounds, including a severely injured hip. While in excruciating pain, he scored 15 of his 28 points to give the Heat a 3-2 series advantage. Wade guided Miami to victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 6 despite battling flu-like symptoms. He finished with ten assists and 14 points in the game that decided the series.

Wade helped the Miami Heat turn a 0–2 series deficit into a 3-2 series lead when they faced the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals in 2006. Wade won the Finals MVP award after the Heat won Game 6 behind his 36 points, finishing the series 4-2. He was the fifth-youngest player in NBA history to win the Finals MVP award, and with 34.7 points, he was third among players playing in their first NBA Finals. According to ESPN’s John Hollinger, the best since the NBA-ABA merger was his 33.8 player efficiency rating (PER) during the NBA Finals.

(2006-2007)

Due to injury, Wade missed 31 games in the 2006–2007 season, but he still managed to be selected for his third straight All-Star Game and earn All–NBA accolades. Since Pete Maravich, he became the only guard to receive All-NBA honors after missing 31 or more games. The Heat had a general injury problem and was 20–25 on February 1, 2007. Wade had to leave the court in a wheelchair after dislocating his left shoulder against the Houston Rockets on February 21, 2007. Wade opted against having surgery to rehab his shoulder in time for the postseason.

Wade rejoined the squad after sitting out 23 games. Wade, sporting a black shoulder sleeve, contributed 12 points and 8 assists in just 27 minutes during the 111-103 loss that required overtime. An average of 27.4 points, 7.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.1 steal while shooting 50% from the field. Wade concluded the season as the NBA’s top player in terms of PER.

Wade scored 23.5 points, distributed 6.3 assists, and grabbed 4.8 rebounds per game during the 2007 postseason, but the Chicago Bulls defeated the Miami Heat in the first round. Wade had two procedures in the post-playoffs to fix his dislocated left shoulder and left knee, all of which were successful. Wade could not play for USA Basketball in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament that summer due to a knee injury, sometimes known as “jumper’s knee.”

(2007-2008)

Wade started the 2007-08 season on November 14, 2007, having missed the preseason, the first seven games, the Tournament of America’s Olympic Qualifiers, and more. Wade was selected to play in his fourth straight All-Star Game despite dealing with knee problems the whole season. The Heat, though, had the NBA’s worst record. Wade missed the remaining 21 games due to knee issues, which Riley blamed on Wade’s long-delayed OssaTron therapy. Wade had a point total of 24.6, 6.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game.

He assisted the United States after several months of rehabilitation. Olympic gold medalists in 2008, National Team, was the team’s top scorer. 

(2008-2009)

Wade started the 2008–09 season back in the starting lineup. Wade made NBA history early that year when, after Alvan Adams in 1976–77, he recorded 10 assists, 5 blocks, and at least 40 points in a single game. Wade was chosen to play in his sixth straight All-Star Game.

Wade became the fourth player to reach 50 points in an NBA game that his team lost by at least 20 points after the All-Star break. Wade finished with 50 points on 56.6% shooting, five rebounds, and five assists in a drubbing at the hands of the Orlando Magic. Wade notched a career-high 16 assists, 31 points, and 7 rebounds in the next game. Wade became the second player since Wilt Chamberlain scored 15 or more assists after scoring 50 points. Wade tied a franchise record two plays later by scoring 24 points in the fourth quarter to defeat the New York Knicks 120-115. Wade finished the game with 46 points (55% from the field), 10 assists, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 blocked shots. In his 40-point performance against the Cleveland Cavalier in the next game. Wade contributed 41 points on 53 percent shooting, nine assists, seven steals, seven rebounds, and a block to the 107-100 defeat. Wade surpassed his previous career best with 16 assists in the next game as the Heat defeated the Phoenix Suns 135-129. Wade also contributed 35 points on a 62% shooting percentage, 6 rebounds, a steal, and a block. Wade became the first Heat player to score 30 or more points and hand out 15 or more assists in multiple games. Wade equaled his previous team record with his 78th straight game with double-digit scoring against the Chicago Bulls less than a week later with a buzzer-beating shot. In 50 minutes of play, Wade ended with 48 points on 71.4% shooting, 12 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 blocks. Wade and Chamberlain are the only players in NBA history to have as many points, assists, and a high field goal % in the same game. In triple overtime against the Utah Jazz, Wade passed Alonzo Mourning two plays later to become the Heat’s all-time leading scorer. Wade contributed 50 points to the final score of that 140-129 triumph, in addition to 9 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks, and 10 rebounds.

Wade became the first player to surpass 2,000 points, 500 assists, 150 steals, and 100 blocks in a single season. He also became the first player under 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) to block more than 100 shots in a season. He was the fifth player to finish a season with 2,000 points, 500 assists, and 150 steals. Wade assisted the Heat in securing a playoff spot, making them just the second club to advance after finishing with a record of 15 or fewer losses in the previous campaign. Wade scored a career-high 55 points on 63% field goal shooting in a 122-105 victory over the New York Knicks. 9 rebounds and 4 assists were also recorded by him.

Wade was removed from the game after scoring 50 points in just three quarters, falling one point short of breaking Glen Rice’s 56-point franchise record. Wade won his first NBA scoring championship with a league-best 30.2-point average. He also added 1.3 blocks, 2.2 steals, 7.5 assists, and 5 rebounds. James and Kobe Bryant, who finished ahead of Wade in the MVP race, had more excellent season averages for points, assists, steals, and blocks than Wade.

(2009-2010)

Wade scored his 10,000th career point on November 1 in only his third game of the 2009–10 campaign, a 95–87 victory over the Chicago Bulls. Wade overcame Cavalier Anderson Varejo with a stunning slam on November 12. In James’ opinion, the dunk was “amazing, maybe top 10 all-time.” Wade made another buzzer-beating shot against the New Jersey Nets two days later to secure an 81-80 victory. Wade’s 44-point performance against the Boston Celtics in overtime on January 6 set a season-best for points in a losing effort. In the 2010 NBA All-Star Game, Wade participated. Wade was voted the game’s MVP with 28 points, 11 assists, 5 steals, and 6 rebounds.

Wade strained his calf on February 17. He left the game, snapping his own streak of 148 games with at least 10 points and the Heat’s franchise record. For his performance in March, Wade earned the titles of Player of the Week twice and Eastern Conference Player of the Month five times. He ranked first in the Eastern Conference with 2.3 steals per game and third with 26.9 and 7.5 assists per game. Wade had six games with 30 points or more, six double-doubles, a season-high 14 assists, and six triple-doubles in the month.

Wade led his club to a 47-35 record and the fifth playoff spot for the whole season while averaging 26.6 points on 47.6% field goal shooting, 6.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. Wade set a lifetime playoff and franchise record in the first round against the Boston Celtics despite being down 0-3; in the fourth quarter, he outscored the entire Celtics team. Wade had at least 40 points in his sixth playoff game in his career. The Heat lost to Boston in five games despite having a player that averaged 33.2 points on 56.4% shooting, 6.8 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game.

(2010-2014)

To persuade Wade to remain with the Heat, the Miami-Dade County government designated the region “Miami-Wade County” from July 1 to July 7, a week that fell during the start of free agency. On July 7, it was revealed that Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors and Wade would join Miami forces. LeBron James decided to sign up for the Heat public the next day.

The Heat finished the first season of the Big 3 Era with a 58-24 record, which they received the second spot in the Eastern Conference. Wade shot 50% and contributed 25.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.5 steals a game. The Heat advanced to the NBA Finals after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, and Chicago Bulls but ultimately lost to the Dallas Mavericks in six games. Wade averaged 26.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in the Finals. He scored 24.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in the playoffs.

Wade joined Jordan and James in 2012 by achieving the third triple-double in the All-Star Game’s24 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists helped make history. Wade’s game-winning jumper against the Indiana Pacers on March 10, 2012, gave the Heat a 93-91 overtime victory; He averaged 22.1 points, 4.8 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 steal throughout the season. The Heat defeated the Indiana Pacers in six games and the New York Knicks in five. Wade had 41 points and 10 rebounds in Game 6 of the second round; In five games, the Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder of the Eastern Conference Finals, winning seven games. Wade scored 22.6 points per game. After trailing in three playoff series, the Heat became the first team in NBA history to win a title.

Wade underwent left knee surgery before the 2012–13 season, missing the Olympics in 2012. He kicked guard Ramon Sessions in the crotch on December 26, 2012, while they were playing the Charlotte Bobcats. 

Wade received a one-game suspension from the NBA the next day. Wade averaged 21.2 points, 5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists for the 2012–2013 campaign

Wade scored a career-low average of 15.9 points per game during the playoffs due to injuries. Still, he increased it to 19.6 points against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. The Spurs won Game 3 in Miami after the clubs split the previous two games. Wade led the Heat to a 109-93 victory in Game 4 by scoring 32 points on 56 percent shooting and adding six steals. Despite Wade’s 25 points and 10 assists, the Spurs won Game 5. Wade scored 14 points during Miami’s victory in Game 6’s overtime contest and 23 points and 10 rebounds in Game 7, as the team won their second consecutive championship and Wade’s third championship.

Wade missed 28 games during the 2013–14 season due to injury and the team’s choice to rest him during “back-to-back” games. Wade had a career-high field goal percentage of 54% and averaged 19 points per game. Wade’s playing time was increased during the playoffs. His best performances included; a 28-point showing in Miami’s victory over the Brooklyn Nets in the second round; a 23-point performance against Indiana on the road in the Eastern Finals. The Heat advanced to their fourth consecutive NBA Finals after winning the series in six games. Wade’s playoff shooting percentage of 52%, 19.1 points per game, was his highest since 2010. Miami Heat was defeated by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2014 NBA Finals in five games.

 (2014–2016)

To save money, Wade, James, and Bosh all decided to opt-out of their contracts on June 28, 2014, though they planned to resign. James then declared his intention to go back to Cleveland. Along with Bosh, Udonis Haslem, Chris Andersen, Mario Chalmers, and old rivals Danny Granger and Luol Deng, Wade re-signed with the Heat.

Wade missed seven straight games in the 2014–15 season because of a hamstring ailment. He scored a season-high 42 points on December 17, 2014, his biggest tally over four years, but Miami fell to Utah 105-87. Despite being chosen an All-Star once more, he withdrew due to a hamstring ailment. Wade missed the playoffs for the second time as the Heat concluded the season with a 37-45 record.

Wade ended his contract on June 29, 2015, but later agreed to a one-year, $20 million deal. Wade only made seven 3-pointers throughout the regular season in 2015–16. Wade did, however, make his first seven three-point shots in the 2016 postseason. Wade had never previously made more than five consecutive three-pointers.

(2016-2017)

Wade signed a two-year, $47 million contract with the Chicago Bulls in July 2016, his hometown team. Wade considered the Heat’s initial two-year, $20 million contract offer and their subsequent two-year, $40 million offer unacceptable. Wade and the Heat fighting led to a horrible ending for the relationship.

In Chicago, Wade worked with Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo. In January 2017, the group was collectively fined for criticizing the effort of their young colleagues. Wade suffered an elbow injury in March 2017. He returned for the playoffs, but the Bulls were eliminated 4-2 by the Boston Celtics.

(2017-2018)

Three months after dealing Butler and releasing Rondo, the Bulls and Wade agreed on a buyout on September 24, 2017. Wade reconnected with former Miami Heat colleague LeBron James three days later when he joined the Cleveland Cavaliers. Wade resisted Tyronn Lue’s decision to start him off the bench throughout the season. Wade began the first three games for the Cavaliers but only managed a 7-for-25 shooting clip. Wade agreed to take on a bench role and lead the second unit after the team’s humiliating loss to the Orlando Magic in the third game.

(2018-2019)

The NBA trade deadline was February 8, 2018, when the Cavaliers completely changed their roster. The Cavaliers returned Wade to the Miami Heat in exchange for a protected 2024 second-round lottery pick. They also acquired Jordan Clarkson, George Hill, Rodney Hood, and Cedi Osman as guards. Wade and Riley patched things up during Henry Thomas’ funeral in January, who had been Wade’s longtime agent. Wade received a standing ovation on February 9 during his debut game, a 91-85 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Wade had a season-high 27 points on February 27 as the Heat rallied to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 102-101. 

Wade reached 5,000 assists in a Heat uniform on April 3, in a 101-98 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. To get 20,000 points and 5,000 assists with one franchise. He joined Karl Malone, Bryant, Jordan, James, Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Oscar Robertson, and Jerry West; as the seventh player. Wade scored 28 points on April 16 to halt the 76ers’ 17-game winning run, help the Heat defeat Philadelphia 113-103 in Game 2, and tie the first-round playoff series. On the NBA’s postseason scoring leaderboard for his career, he overtook Larry Bird for 10th place.

Wade re-signed with the Heat on September 18 after declaring his plan to retire after the 2018–19 campaign in the off-season. After his daughter was born, he missed seven games in the middle of November. Wade set a Miami bench player record by scoring 35 points on November 25, a season-high. He had 25 points in his 1,000th career game on December 9. Wade reached the milestone of at least 20,000 points, 5,000 assists, 4,000 rebounds, 1,500 steals, 800 blocks, and 500 three-pointers on January 6, 2019, becoming the third player in NBA history to do so. Wade will play in his 13th All-Star game after being selected by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver as a unique roster addition for the 2019 All-Star game. 

Wade was the guard with the second-highest fan votes in the Eastern Conference. Wade scored 30 points in his final Miami home game on April 9. The following night, in his farewell game, Wade achieved his fifth triple-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.

The Heat announced on January 7, 2020, that Wade’s No. 3 jersey would be retired on February 22.

THE PRESENT  (2021-2022)

When it comes to business, Dwyane Wade enjoys taking risks.

The three-time NBA champion is retired but still has investments in media and consumer goods. Wade, 40, owns stock in two sports franchises and serves as a TV host. Wade is also assuming a risk in the erratic NFT market.

Budweiser Zero and Wade are collaborating on an NFT collection that will go on sale on May 24. In 2020, Wade co-founded a beverage free of alcohol and sugar. The NFTs cost $180 each and offer consumers chances to win prizes like autographed Wade sneakers and the opportunity to see a Utah Jazz game with him, among others. Wade has little stake in the NBA team.

According to Spotrac, a company that records sports connections, Wade earned close to $200 million during his 16-year NBA career before retiring from basketball in 2019. According to Forbes, he reportedly earns $17 million a year in endorsements.

Wade responded when questioned about retirement, “It’s different. During the pandemic”, he claimed. He learned to adapt “the same skills that made me a special athlete” to his post-career.

During the height of his career, he made a crucial business decision that set the tone for his post-retirement years.

After retiring, Wade continued to expand his business.

Wade developed the winery “Wade Cellars.” He owns a share in the television company Players TV. His wife, the actress Gabrielle Union, and him, co-launched the baby goods company Proudly. He claimed that the new business “came from a need.”

In April 2021, Wade acquired a modest ownership share in the NBA team Utah Jazz and partnered with Blackstone executive David Blitzer; to become a co-owner of MLS team Real Salt Lake. Wade stated his interests are a modest proportion but wouldn’t say how much they are worth.

According to him, the “ultimate ambition” for Wade is to buy a majority stake in the team. However, given this situation, his propensity for risk may have certain upper bounds.

However, he added, “Perhaps I’ll go through this procedure and tell myself, “No, you don’t want those headaches.”