Dwyane Wade #3 | Miami Heat

Height: 6-4

Weight: 212

Born: Jan 17, 1982 - Chicago, Illinois

College: Marquette Draft: 2003

1st round (5th pick) by the Miami Heat

Dwyane (pronounced Dwayne) Wade was born in Chicago, Illinoisin 1982. During the early years of his life, his parents underwent a divorce and so Dwyane resided with his father and stepmother. While Dwyane was growing up in the Chicago area, Michael Jordan was still playing for the Chicago Bulls. Dwyane found a role model and personal idol in Michael Jordan and shaped his personal playing style after the great basketball player.

Dwyane didn't see too much court time until his Junior year in high school. He spent the majority of his sophomore year riding the bench and watching his older stepbrother do most of the scoring. Dwyane came back his junior year four inches taller and ready to play. He lead his team averaging 20 points per game his junoir year, and came back even stronger his senoir year with 27 point and 11 rebound per game average. During his senior year Dwyanes team had a record of 24-5 and advanced to the AA Sectional title game.

Dwyane was not a heavliy recruited basketball player mainly due to his grades in high school. After considering Illinois State and DePaul University, Dwyane ended up choosing to attend college at Marquette University. Dwyane did not play his freshman season due to the same academic plight that he faced in high school. Wade regianed eligibility his sophomore year and led his team to a 26-7 record with a team leading 18 points per game. During Wade's junior year he led the Marquette Golden Eagles to a 27-6 record and a first place finish in the Conference USA.

After winning the Conference USA championship and a birth into the NCAA tournament, Wade was ready to test his and his team's skills against the rest of the best teams and players in the nation. Wade led the Golden Eagles deep into the tournament, and with a historic win over the Kentucky Wildcats in which Wade recorded a triple double in points, rebounds, and assists Marquette found themselves in the Final Four round. Due to Wade's exceptional play during his junior year and during the NCAA tournament, he decided not to return to Marquette for his senoir year and declared himself as eligible for the NBA Draft.

Dwyane Wade was selected by the Miami Heat as the 5th overall draft pick in 2003. Despite the teams slow 5-15 start, Wade and his teammates reached the playoffs with a final record of 42-40. Wade performed well during his rookie season and even was named to the NBA All-Star Rookies team, but most of his rookie year was overshadowed by other league newcomers LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

The Miami Heat acquired center Shaquille O'Neal during the offseason and improved their 2004-05 record by 17 games to finish the season with a record of 59-23. Once again, Wade's performance during the season was noticed he was named as a reserve to the Eastern Conference NBA All-Star team. The Heat's record earned them a place in the NBA playoffs. The Heat advanced as far as the Eastern Conference Finals. Wade injured a rib muscle during the conference finals and had to sit out as the Heat lost the series, leaving their hopes for a NBA Championship to remain for another year.

Wade dramatically stepped up his game during the 2005-06 season scoring an average of almost 30 points per game. His excellent performance once again led to his selection as and Eastern Conference NBA All-Star. The Miami Heat once again won their division and advanced to the NBA Playoffs. During the playoffs, Wade refused to let injury and sickness get in his way of the Championship. The Miami Heat met the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals and defeated them to become the 2006 NBA Champions. Wade's personal performance was recognized, and he was named NBA Finals MVP.

Dwyane Wade missed a large chunk of the 2006-07 season due to knee and shoulder injuries. Despite these injuries he was still named to the All-Star team, and appeared with his team in the first round of the NBA Playoffs where they were swept by the Chicago Bulls. Wade underwent a shoulder surgery and a knee surgery to repair his body for the next season.

Wade missed the beginning games of the 2007-08 season and finally returned in November. Despite recurring knee pain, his performance once again earned him a place on the All-Star team. Wade continued to play during the season, but it became apparent from the Heat's record that they would not make the playoffs. Wade missed the remaining chunk of the season to undergo treatment on his injuries that would set him up for success in the 2008-09 season.

Most recently, Dwyane Wade along with Team USA earned a Gold Medal in Basketball at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.