Dwyane Wade (Part 1)

Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history. Throughout his illustrious 16-year career, Wade played the majority of his tenure with the Miami Heat, where he achieved remarkable success, including winning three NBA championships.
Born on January 17, 1982, Wade rose to prominence during his college basketball career with the Marquette Golden Eagles. He played a pivotal role in leading Marquette to the Final Four in 2003, showcasing his talent and potential as a future NBA star.
Wade's professional journey began when he was selected as the fifth overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft by the Miami Heat. In just his third season, Wade played a pivotal role in leading the Heat to their first NBA Championship in 2006, earning himself the title of the 2006 NBA Finals MVP.


Throughout his career, Wade amassed an impressive array of accolades, including being named a 13-time NBA All-Star, an 8-time member of the All-NBA Team, and a 3-time member of the All-Defensive Team. He also led the league in total points and points per game during the 2008-09 season, earning him his sole NBA scoring title.
Wade's impact extended beyond the NBA courts. He played a significant role in the success of the United States men's basketball team, leading them to a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics as part of the "Redeem Team."
In addition to his accomplishments on the court, Wade made history off the court as well. He became a minority owner of the Utah Jazz in 2021 and was honored as one of the greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in October 2021.
Wade's remarkable career culminated in his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023, cementing his legacy as one of the most iconic figures in basketball history. His jersey number, #3, was retired by the Miami Heat in 2020, further solidifying his place in the franchise's history.


Dwyane Wade was born on January 17, 1982, in Chicago, Illinois, as the second of two children to JoLinda and Dwyane Wade Sr. Wade's unusual spelling of his name, as well as his father's, is attributed to his grandmother. His mother, JoLinda, had two children prior to her marriage to Wade's father, and together they had Dwyane and his older sister Tragil. However, the couple separated when Wade was just four months old.
Following the divorce, JoLinda was granted custody of both children. However, she struggled with drug addiction and frequently found herself in trouble with the law, leading to periods of incarceration. When Wade was eight years old, his sister Tragil orchestrated a plan to take him to live with their father and stepmother under the guise of going to the movies. Wade's visits to his mother became sporadic after his father relocated the family to Robbins, Illinois, and he went two years without seeing her.


Despite the challenges he faced, Wade found solace and purpose in sports, particularly basketball and football, which helped him steer clear of the dangers of drugs and gangs. He credits his sister Tragil as the guiding force that kept him on the right path during his formative years. Growing up, Wade looked up to basketball legend Michael Jordan and sought to emulate his playing style.
On October 14, 2001, as Wade's basketball career began to flourish, JoLinda made a commitment to turn her life around. She has since stated that she has been drug-free since 2003, marking a significant turning point in her life and relationship with her son.


At Harold L. Richards High School in Oak Lawn, Dwyane Wade participated in both basketball and football. Initially, his talents shone brighter on the football field, where he excelled as a wide receiver and occasionally played as a backup quarterback. However, his basketball skills took longer to develop.
Wade's growth spurt, which saw him gain four inches by the beginning of his junior year, proved instrumental in his basketball progression. As a result, he emerged as a key player for the team, showcasing leadership qualities while averaging impressive stats of 20.7 points and 7.6 rebounds.


By his senior year, Wade's skills had further matured, and he became a dominant force on the basketball court. Averaging 27 points and 11 rebounds per game, he led the Bulldogs to a notable 24–5 record and guided them to a Class AA Eisenhower Sectional appearance. During this time, Wade set multiple school records, including points scored (676) and steals made (106).
Despite his impressive performance, Wade's recruitment for basketball was limited due to his low ACT scores, with Marquette, Illinois State, and DePaul being the only schools that pursued him for basketball. Throughout his high school career, Wade credited coach Jack Fitzgerald as a significant and positive influence on his development as a player.

References

1.  Knott, Geoff (April 17, 2019). "Identity". Word on the Streets: information for transformational people. Retrieved August 18, 2019. In an interview with ESPN, Wade said, 'I've seen the needles laying around the house. I've seen my mother shoot up before. I've seen a lot of things my mother didn't even know I'd seen as a kid.'
2. ^ "JockBio: Dwyane Wade Biography". www.jockbio.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
3. ^ "Dwyane Wade." Archived January 24, 2007, at the Wayback Machine www.askmen.com. Retrieved January 20, 2007.
4. a b c "Men's Basketball: Dwyane Wade." Archived October 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, www.marquette.cstv.com. Retrieved January 20, 2007.
5. ^ Richardson, Shandel (December 5, 2014). "Dwyane Wade gives assist to Milwaukee community". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Milwaukee: Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved September 19, 2019. I worked very hard," Wade said. "That first year was the toughest year of my life. I really had to adjust a lot. I had to really focus and bear down on education and the importance of academics.
6. ^ Kamalsky, Matt. "DraftExpressProfile: Dwyane Wade." www.draftexpress.com, May 6, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
7. ^ "2001-02 Conference USA Leaders". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
8. ^ "Dwyane Wade College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
9. ^ "2002-03 Marquette Golden Eagles Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
10. ^ Associated Press. "Dwyane Wade to enter NBA draft." Archived October 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine www.signonsandiego.com, May 1, 2003. Retrieved January 29, 2007.
11. ^ Keegan, John (February 1, 2007). "Wade's jersey to be retired". Marquette Wire. Retrieved September 28, 2019. Although the nature of Wade's retirement is unprecedented, Marquette faculty members reached for comment did not object to the decision. 'You look at everything he's done in the community, and with his ties to his church. I mean, obviously he was a worthy player. I think the time is right... If he was someone who I thought would never finish his degree, or someone who I thought didn't take his education seriously, then I would take issue with the jersey retiring,' said Paula Gillespie, associate professor of English.
12. "Dwyane Wade: Biography." Archived January 17, 2007, at the Wayback Machine NBA.com. Retrieved April 26, 2008.
13. a b "Dwyane Wade Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
14. ^ "2003-04 Miami Heat Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
15. a b "2004-05 Miami Heat Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 28, 2019.