Name: Dwyane Tyrone Wade
Born: January 17, 1982 in Chicago, IL
Team: Miami Heat
Position: Point Guard, Shooting Guard
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 212 lbs.
Nicknames: Flash, D-Wade
High School: Richards in Oak Lawn, IL
College: Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI
Drafted: 2003; 1st round, 5th pick by the Miami Heat
Teams Played For In Career:
- Miami Heat (2003-Present)
MAJOR AWARDS AND HONORS:
NBA Finals MVP
- 2005-06 NBA Finals MVP
NBA All-Star
All-NBA Teams
- 2004-05 All-NBA Second Team
- 2005-06 All-NBA Second Team
- 2006-07 All-NBA Third Team
NBA All-Defensive Teams
- 2004-05 NBA All-Defensive Second Team
NBA All-Rookie Team
- 2003-04 All-Rookie First Team
Background:
Wade was not a highly sought after prep player, which worked out well for Marquette. There, Wade was able to get a lot of time on the floor and be the "main man" for the Golden Eagles. During the 2003 NCAA Tournament, Wade was almost unstoppable, seemingly just putting the team on his back and getting Marquette to the Final Four. The "putting the team on his back" sounds familiar, doesn't it?
His Career Thus Far:
Plain and simple, the main reason the Heat won the 2006 NBA Championship was because of Wade, who averaged 34.7 points per contest, including two 40+ point performances. His rookie season was marred by injury, allowing Wade to only play in 66 games. Since then, he's improved each season afterwards. Wade has displayed the ability to penetrate to the basket whenever he wants to, but that has been one reason for his injuries as he gets fouled hard when he gets in the lane. However, like Wade's Converse commercial from a season ago says, "Fall seven times. Stand up eight."
Wade is a low-key person, which can seen in the relatively minimal exposure of Wade since winning the NBA Championship. He is a great example of what is great about the league - works hard, great teammate, clean off the court, and a winner. LeBron James may get the most comparisons to Michael Jordan, but until James gets a ring, Wade is more of an appropriate comparison to Jordan - scoring at will, setting up his teammates, and clutch in the closing minutes.
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