MILWAUKEE — In the nearly 20 years since his illustrious Final Four run with Marquette, basketball superstar Dwyane Wade had a family, made 13 All-Star games and won three NBA championships. Now, he returns to Milwaukee as the Golden Eagles celebrate a program-defining season led by ‘D. Wade’ himself.
Wade visited the Good Karma Brands office in Milwaukee for a conversation with WTMJ’s Greg Matzek. The pair discussed the historical significance of his tenure at Marquette, the current state of the program, his first year of eligibility for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the 2003 NBA Draft.
He gave major credit to his teammates and coaches for committing to Marquette in a way that left a lasting impact on the University’s athletics programs (click here for more from Dwyane Wade on his Final Four team).
“We wanted [Marquette] basketball to be at the level that the university was, the prestige of it,” Wade said.
It wasn’t always an easy process, particularly with the hard-nosed coaching style of Tom Crean — leading Wade to share that he “wanted to go home so many times.” Still, he stuck it out and was rewarded for it by making a splash on the college basketball scene and being drafted 5th overall by the Miami Heat.
“It was tough to build a program back to where the 1977 champs left it, we were trying to get back to that kind of feeling,” Wade said. “We had the vision of the team winning, right? We had the photo of them in their suits back in the day, so like, that was our goal.”
Wade noted that several players left the program because of Crean’s intense coaching style. Although it was difficult in the moment, Wade says that his former coach “built some strong men and some strong character.”
Marquette president Michael Lovell joined Dwyane Wade in his visit, applauding the retired NBA star for his commitment to the program and lasting legacy.
“To have that Final Four team be part of the University 20 years ago, we’re still benefitting from it today,” Lovell said. “When I travel around the country, people know about Marquette because of our men’s basketball team and particularly, Dwyane’s Final Four team.”
Wade, who said he “had to focus on something [else] for a while” — alluding to a 16-year professional basketball career in which he asserted himself as a top five shooting guard in NBA history — also noted that he wants to spend more time in Milwaukee now that he’s done playing in the NBA.
President Lovell re-affirmed that Wade’s legacy remains strong in the city because of his resounding success at Marquette. However, Wade wasn’t always a star. He was once a kid who felt like he was in over his head when moving to Milwaukee.
“I came here as a Prop 48. I know a lot of people see my success now, but the beginning of it was very rocky. I always give Marquette a lot of credit of their patience with me,” Wade said.
Although he never played there, Wade remembers being called out of class to break ground on Marquette’s Al McGuire Center. He joked that they gave him a shovel and a hard hat to help out.
“I knew I would never play in it, but it was cool to know that the future generations of athletes would have this state of the art facility and place that they can call home,” Wade said. “We love the old gym, but that place smells… There’s a lot of history in those walls”
The conversation turned to Wade’s pro basketball legacy. A name synonymous with Miami, Dwyane Wade was a dominant force in the NBA. He teamed up with Shaquille O’Neal in pursuit of a championship early in his career before he became the No. 2 to his close friend LeBron James toward the end of his career. Wade made eight All-NBA teams and led the NBA in scoring for the 2008-09 season.
“Celebrating the Final Four in the 20th year, celebrating the Hall of Fame, hopefully this year, it’s going to be beautiful for everybody who’s been part of this journey,” Wade said. “I didn’t set out to end up in the Hall of Fame. I set out to be the best basketball player and the best individual I can be, so I’m glad that I’m in this conversation at 41 years old now.”
The soon-to-be Hall of Famer said that he got the call about his nomination while on the golf course.
Matzek concluded the interview by playing his ‘Five Questions’ game! (Click here to watch on TikTok).
@620wtmj FIVE QUESTIONS: Dwyane Wade answers important questions about his #NBADraft class, first car, favorite jam and more! #DwyaneWade #NBA #HallOfFame ♬ original sound – Newsradio 620 WTMJ
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