Dwyane Wade - Growing Up

Dwyane Wade was born in Chicago. His parents split up when he was a kid, and Dwyane bounced around several homes with his mom before moving in with his dad when he was nine. After a standout high school basketball career at Richards High in Oaklawn, Illinois, Wade was named Mr. Basketball Illinois and received a hoops scholarship to Marquette University.

Dwyane Wade - Hard Work Pays Off

Dwyane Wade didn't play in his freshman year at college because of poor grades, but he worked hard and became a team leader for Marquette over the next two years. In 2003, he led the Eagles to the Final Four and NBA scouts began to notice Dwyane for his explosive moves to the hoop and Michael Jordan-like outstanding scoring touch. Dwyane Wade was picked fifth overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat and was on his way to NBA stardom.

Dwyane Wade - Super Swingman

Despite the hype of Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony, it's doubtful the Miami Heat would Courtesy of ABC/Steve Mitchell trade Dwyane Wade for anyone. After three seasons in the NBA, he's become an NBA All-Star, a top scorer and is also considered one of the nicest guys in the league. He donates a ton of money to charity and is well liked by teammates. Shaquille O'Neal says the main reason he wanted to be traded to the Miami Heat was for a chance to play with Wade. With Dwyane Wade as an explosive swingman and Shaq has a dominant center, the Heat have one of the best guard-center combos in the NBA. Wade and the Heat advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2005, before losing to the Detroit Pistons. The team will play the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2006 NBA Playoffs.