Biography

The American basketball player Dwyane Wade, Jr. was born in 1982 in Chicago, Illinois. Dwyane grew up in a tumultuous, poverty-filled household, to a very young mother who suffered from drug addiction. To cope with his difficulties, Wade turned to sports, idolizing such athletes as Michael Jordan, and dreaming of someday becoming a sports hero.

While in high school, Dwyane Wade played for his high school basketball team, and although he excelled, only three universities came calling for his recruitment, largely due to the fact that Wade’s academics were not very strong. Nevertheless, Dwyane ended attending Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and excelled on the basketball court. Initially, Wade fought for his eligibility to play, hampered by his low GPA and struggling class grades. With the help of a tutor, Wade improved his academics and began to play for the team, distinguishing himself and bringing his team to victories they had not yet achieved, including the school’s first Conference USA championship.

Today, Dwyane Wade plays for the Miami Heat in the NBA, and is one of the country’s most popular and recognizable basketball stars. Highlights of his career include leading the Miami Heat to multiple NBA championships, most recently in the 2012 NBA Finals and the 2013 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. Dwayne Wade also led the United States men’s basketball team to victory at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Off the court, Dwyane Wade is known for his philanthropic generosity, supporting multiple organizations including his own Wade’s World Foundation, which provides support for at-risk and underprivileged youth. He has become well-known for random acts of kindness, such as purchasing a home for a family in Florida after their own had burned down, and donating money to keep public libraries and community facilities open.