From an inspiring upbringing in the South Side of Chicago to becoming an NBA champion, 3x All-Star, Olympic gold medalist and Hall of Famer, we introduce you to Dwyane Wade. Born on January 17, 1982, Dwyane is a former American professional basketball player currently the host of The Cube, an American adaptation. Globally considered one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history, Dwyane spent 16 seasons in the NBA, mainly playing for the Miami Heat of the NBA. But there is more than just winning awards. This article is everything about Dwyane Wade’s unbelievable journey, revealing his early life, education, struggles, career beginning, rise to fame, net worth, personal life, charity, and more.
Must-known Facts About Dwyane Wade
- Dwyane is an Olympic gold medalist.
- He is a model for Sean John Clothing Line.
- He owns a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta valued at $330,000.
- Dwyane is a devout Christian.
- During the 2003 NBA draft, he was picked behind LeBron James (#1 Cleveland), Darko Milicic (#2 Detroit), Carmelo Anthony (#3 Denver) and Chris Bosh (#4 Toronto).
Early Life and Education
Dwyane Wade was born as Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr in Chicago, Illinois, on January 17, 1982. He is the second of six children born to JoLinda and Dwyane Wade Sr. He got his name Dwyane due to a spelling mistake on his birth certificate, which his parents also kept. His parents parted ways when he was four years old. However, his mother was initially given full custody of all four children, with his mother having two kids from her previous relationship.
Brought up on the south side of Chicago, Dwyane described his upbringing as difficult as his mother struggled with drug addiction. Throughout his childhood, his mother was in and out of jail. Eventually, he went to live with his father and stepmother and only saw his mother every two years after the family moved to Robbins, Illinois.
Dwyane attended Harold L. Richards High School near Chicago, where he played basketball. His first intention was to play basketball to avoid drugs and gang life. He idolized Michael Jordan. With his stepbrother being considered more skilful than him, Dwyane was often overshadowed, even though he was very committed to playing. He began to make a name for himself after he grew four inches by the start of his junior year.
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Quick Biography
| Quick Biography | Answers |
| Birthday | January 17, 1982 |
| Full Name | Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr |
| Hometown | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Lives In | Miami, United States |
| Net Worth | $170 million |
| Horoscope/Birth Sign | Capricorn |
| Age (2024) | 42 years old |
| Stage Name | Dwyane Wade |
| Profession | Former Professional Basketball Player |
| Father’s Name | Dwyane Wade Sr. |
| Mother’s Name | JoLinda Wade |
| Number of Children | 4 |
| Children’s Name | Zaya Wade and Zaire Wade |
| Husband/Boyfriend | N/A |
| Wife/Girlfriend | Gabrielle Union (m. 2014), Siohvaughn Funches (m. 2002–2010) |
| Birth Year | 1982 |
| TikTok | @dwyanewade |
| Facebook Handle | Dwyane Wade |
| YouTube Handle | DwyaneWade |
| Twitter/X Handle | @DwyaneWade |
| Instagram Handle | dwyanewade |
| Snapchat Handle | @mrdwyanewade |
| Height | 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) |
| Body Measurements | 48-36– inches |
| Feet/Shoe Size | 15 (US) |
| Color of Eye | Dark brown |
| Movies Starred | N/A |
| References | Wikipedia, Celebrity Net Worth |
Career
Collegiate Career
Following high school, Dwyane was enrolled at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he played under coach Tom Crean. During his first year, he was sidelined by NCAA Proposition 46. In the 2001-2002 season, he took the Marquette Golden Eagles in netting with 17.8 points (ppg) and led Conference USA in both steals per game, with Marquette finishing with a 26–7 record (their best record since the 1993–94 season). Dwyane took the Golden Eagles to the final four for the first time since their national championship in 1977. He became the first basketball player from Marquette to receive the distinction since 1978 after being named the All-America First Team by the Associated Press (AP).
Professional Career
Following a successful college career with the Marquette Golden Eagles, the Heat drafted Dwyane fifth overall in the 2003 NBA draft. He shortly earned a name for himself, emerging as a productive player, averaging 16.2 points on 46.5% shooting plus 4.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists. During the 2006 NBA championship, he took the Heat to their first NBA Championship in his third season and was named the NBA Finals MVP.
During the 2008 Summer Olympics, Dwyane led the US men’s basketball team (commonly known as the “Redeem Team”) to secure the gold medal. After leading the 2008-09 season league in total points (2,386) and points per game (30.2), Dwayen earned his NBA scoring title. In 2010, he was chosen as the NBA All-Star Game MVP. From 2011 to 2014, Dawyane, alongside LeBron James and Chris Bosh, helped guide Miami to four consecutive NBA Finals.
In 2012 and 2013, they won championships back-to-back. After shortly leaving Miami for the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers for a season and a half in July 2016, Dwyane was traded back to Miami in February 2018. Back in Miami, Dwyane ended his career, retiring in 2019. To honour him, the Heat retired his #3 jersey in 2020.
The following year, Dwyane bought a minority ownership stake in the Utah Jazz and became a minority stakeholder of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky in 2023. October 2021 saw Dwyane honoured by naming him to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, placing him among the league’s greatest players of all time. Two years later, he was installed into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Net Worth and Salary
As of this writing, Dwyane Wade has a net worth of $170 million. He earned $198 million in salary alone during his NBA career. During his rookie year, Dwyane earned $2.6 million in salary, and after inking a hefty contract extension before the 2007-2008 season, his salary jumped to $13 million annually. Dwyane earned 23.2 million from the Chicago Bulls during his peak season in 2016-2017.
Throughout his 16 NBA seasons, he was named 3-time NBA champion, 13-time NBA All-star, an Olympic gold medalist and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He was also Miami Heat’s all-time leader in points, games, assists, shots taken, and shots made. Dwyane was named to the 75th Anniversary NBA Team as one of the finest players in NBA league history and is also considered one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history.
Sponsorships and Endorsements
Dwyane Wade first signed a six-year shoe deal with Converse, which paid him $400,000 annually. In 2006, Converse Wade 1 was a huge global success and sold over a million pairs. Three years later, he earned $5 million annually in his early years, which rose to $10 million after milestone bonuses. In 2012, he signed a 10-year, $60 million contract with the Chinese brand Li-Ning. Dwyane later signed a lifetime deal with Li-Ning that included an equity stake.
Charity
In 2003, Dwyane Wade founded The Wade’s World Foundation to support community organizations that promote skills, education, and health for at-risk children. He has also collaborated with several outreach programs in Chicago and South Florida. In 2008, Dwyane bought a home, clothing, and gifts for the family of a South Florida woman whose house was burned accidentally by her nephew. His charity work includes paying $25,000 to keep the Robbins, Illinois, library from shutting down. In all his charity, Dwyane is best known for visiting sick children. He is also an Ambassador for Hoops for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Personal Life
Dwyane Wade has been married twice. In 2002, he married his high school sweetheart, Siohvaughn Funches. Together, the couple had two children. However, they broke up in 2007, and Dwyane was granted sole custody after their divorce was finalized in 2010. From 2008 to 2013, he dated actress Gabrielle Union. However, they broke up due to her career demands, and Dwyane conceived a son with Aja Metoyer. He later reconciled with Gabrielle and got engaged in 2013.
On August 30, 2014, they exchanged their marriage vows and became parents to a daughter on November 7, 2018. Their daughter was born via surrogate. In 2020, Dwyane’s 12-year-old daughter came out as a transgender girl and changed her name to Zaya, which his father expressed full support for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How many years did Dwyane Wade play in the NBA?
Ans: Dwyane Wade played 16 years in the NBA, mostly with the Heat.
Q. What is Dwyane Wade’s net worth?
Ans: Dwyane has a net worth of $170 million.
Q. Is Dwyane Wade married?
Ans: He is married to actress Gabrielle Union.
Q. What team does Dwayne Wade own?
Ans: After his retirement, Dwyane bought a minority ownership stake in the Utah Jazz and became a minority stakeholder of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky in 2023.
