Career Timeline of Dwyane Wade: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Dwyane Wade, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Dwyane Wade is a retired American professional basketball player, considered one of the NBA's greatest shooting guards. He is now co-owner of the Utah Jazz and hosts "The Cube." Wade spent most of his 16-year career with the Miami Heat, leading them to three NBA championships. He boasts a distinguished career, including 13 NBA All-Star selections, eight All-NBA Team selections, and three All-Defensive Team selections. Wade holds Miami's franchise records for points, games played, assists, steals, shots made, and shots taken, solidifying his legacy as a basketball icon.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1976: Marquette's Highest Ranking

After Dwyane Wade led Marquette to the Final Four, the Golden Eagles finished their season as No. 6 in the AP Poll, Marquette's highest ranking since 1976-77.

1976: Second Player in NBA History

Early in the 2008-09 season, Dwyane Wade became the second player in NBA history to post at least 40 points, 10 assists, and five blocks in a single game since Alvan Adams in 1976-77.

1977: Marquette Advances to Final Four

Dwyane Wade led Marquette to the Final Four for the first time since 1977, after upsetting Kentucky.

1977: Golden Eagles to the Final Four

In 1977, Dwyane Wade helped bring the Golden Eagles to the Final Four for the first time since their 1977 national championship season.

1978: All-America First Team by the Associated Press

In 1978, Dwyane Wade was named to the All-America First Team by the Associated Press (AP), making him the first basketball player from Marquette to receive the distinction since 1978.

1993: Marquette's Best Season

In 1993, Dwyane Wade led the Marquette Golden Eagles, who finished with a 26-7 record, their best since the 1993-94 season.

March 8, 2003: Marquette Captures Conference USA Title

On March 8, 2003, three days after his mother was released from prison, she watched Dwyane Wade play basketball for the first time in five years as Marquette upset the Cincinnati Bearcats to capture the Conference USA title.

2003: Founded The Wade's World Foundation

In 2003, Dwyane Wade founded The Wade's World Foundation, which provides support to community-based organizations that promote education, health, and social skills for children in at-risk situations. He hosts community outreach programs in Chicago and South Florida.

2003: NBA Draft Entry

In 2003, Dwyane Wade skipped his senior year to enter the NBA draft, due to a high draft projection from his performance in the Midwest Regional final.

2003: Drafted by the Miami Heat

In 2003, Dwyane Wade was drafted fifth overall in the NBA draft by the Miami Heat after a successful college basketball career with Marquette Golden Eagles.

2005: Playoff Performances

During the 2005 playoffs, Dwyane Wade delivered strong performances, including averaging 26.3 points, 8.8 assists, and 6 rebounds in the first round against the New Jersey Nets, and 31 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists in the second round against the Washington Wizards.

2005: All-Star Game Selection

In the 2005-06 season, Dwyane Wade was elected to the All-Star Game as a starter.

2006: Signed Contract

Following the title win, in 2006, Wade signed a three-year, $63 million contract that carried a player option to add an additional fourth year.

2006: Led Heat Past Pistons

In 2006, Dwyane Wade led the Heat past the Detroit Pistons despite experiencing flu-like symptoms in Game 6, leading to the series-clinching contest.

2006: NBA Championship and Finals MVP

In 2006, Dwyane Wade led the Miami Heat to their first NBA Championship and was named the NBA Finals MVP.

February 1, 2007: Heat's Record

On February 1, 2007, the Miami Heat struggled with injuries and had a record of 20-25.

February 3, 2007: Marquette Retires Wade's Jersey

On February 3, 2007, Marquette retired Dwyane Wade's No. 3 jersey, making an exception to the requirement that student-athletes must have graduated for jersey retirement.

November 14, 2007: Start of Season

After missing the Tournament of Americas' Olympic Qualifiers as well as the preseason and the first seven games, Dwyane Wade began the 2007-08 season on November 14, 2007.

May 2008: Purchased Church Building for Mother's Ministry

In May 2008, Dwyane Wade bought a church building for his mother's ministry.

December 24, 2008: Purchased Home for South Florida Woman

On December 24, 2008, Dwyane Wade purchased a new home for a South Florida woman whose nephew accidentally burned down the family home. He also donated furnishings, clothing, and gifts to the family.

2008: Olympic Gold

In 2008, after months of rehab, Dwyane Wade helped the U.S. National Team win gold at the Olympics, leading the team in scoring.

September 2009: Donation to Robbins, Illinois Public Library

In September 2009, Dwyane Wade donated $25,000 from his foundation to prevent the Robbins, Illinois public library from closing.

2009: Switched to Nike's Jordan Brand

During the 2009–10 season, Dwyane Wade switched from Converse to Nike's Jordan Brand.

2009: Start of Season

On November 1, in what was only his third game of the 2009–10 season, Dwyane Wade recorded his 10,000th career point during a 95–87 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

January 2010: Co-founded The Athletes Relief Fund for Haiti

In January 2010, Dwyane Wade and Alonzo Mourning co-founded "The Athletes Relief Fund for Haiti" to collect donations for the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Within three days, the fund raised over $800,000.

2010: Debuted Air Jordan 2010

During the 2009–10 season, Dwyane Wade switched from Converse to Nike's Jordan Brand. He debuted the Air Jordan 2010 during the 2010 NBA All-Star break.

2010: All-Star MVP

Dwayne Wade appeared in the 2010 NBA All-Star Game and was named the game's MVP with 28 points, 11 assists, six rebounds, and five steals.

2010: Best Playoff Percentage Since 2010

In 2014, Dwyane Wade averaged 19.1 points on 52 percent shooting, his best playoff percentage since 2010. This was mentioned as a highlight in the text.

2011: Debuted First Signature Shoe for Jordan Brand

During the 2011 NBA playoffs, Dwyane Wade debuted his first signature shoe for the Jordan Brand, joining Anthony and Chris Paul, who had their own signature shoes.

2011: NBA Finals Appearance

From 2011 to 2014, Dwyane Wade, along with LeBron James and Chris Bosh, guided the Miami Heat to four consecutive NBA Finals.

February 26, 2012: All-Star Game Triple-Double

On February 26, 2012, Dwyane Wade recorded the third triple-double in the history of the All-Star Game, posting 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

March 10, 2012: Game-Winning Shot Against Pacers

On March 10, 2012, Dwyane Wade made the game-winning shot against the Indiana Pacers, giving the Heat a 93–91 overtime victory.

2012: Signed with Li-Ning

After his Jordan Brand contract expired in 2012, Dwyane Wade signed with the Chinese athletic brand Li-Ning.

2012: NBA Championship

In 2012, Dwyane Wade won an NBA championship with the Miami Heat.

2013: Back-to-Back NBA Championship

In 2013, Dwyane Wade won his second consecutive NBA championship with the Miami Heat.

2013: Missed Games and Averaged 19 Points

In the 2013-14 season, Dwyane Wade missed 28 games due to injuries and rest during back-to-back games, but he averaged 19 points and posted a career-high 54% field goal percentage.

June 28, 2014: Wade opts out of contract to re-sign with the Heat

On June 28, 2014, Dwyane Wade, along with LeBron James and Chris Bosh, opted out of their contracts with the Miami Heat in order to cut costs, with the intention of re-signing. Wade later re-signed a two-year, $34 million contract, allowing the Heat to re-sign other players.

2014: NBA Finals Appearance

From 2011 to 2014, Dwyane Wade, along with LeBron James and Chris Bosh, guided the Miami Heat to four consecutive NBA Finals.

2014: Playoff Performance and NBA Finals Loss

In 2014, Dwyane Wade played in the playoffs, highlighted by a 28-point performance against the Brooklyn Nets and a 23-point outing against Indiana in the Eastern Finals. The Heat advanced to their fourth straight NBA Finals but lost to the San Antonio Spurs in five games. Wade averaged 19.1 points on 52 percent shooting in the playoffs.

2014: Hamstring Injury and All-Star Selection

In the 2014-15 season, Dwyane Wade missed seven consecutive games due to a hamstring injury. He scored a season-high 42 points against the Utah Jazz on December 17. Wade was named an All-Star but pulled out due to another hamstring injury.

June 29, 2015: Wade Opts Out and Signs One-Year Contract

On June 29, 2015, Dwyane Wade opted out of his contract with the Miami Heat. He then signed a one-year, $20 million contract with the team.

July 2016: Wade Joins Chicago Bulls

In July 2016, Dwyane Wade joined his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls, on a two-year deal worth approximately $47 million after the Miami Heat offered what Wade considered to be unacceptable contracts.

July 2016: Leaves Miami

In July 2016, Dwyane Wade left the Miami Heat to play for the Chicago Bulls.

November 4, 2016: Wade Scores 35 Points in Loss to Knicks

On November 4, 2016, Dwyane Wade scored a game-high 35 points and grabbed 10 rebounds during a 117-104 loss to the New York Knicks.

2016: Three-Point Shooting Performance

During the 2015-16 regular season, Dwyane Wade only made seven three-point shots. However, in the 2016 postseason, Wade converted his first seven three-point shot attempts. This was his best performance streak.

September 24, 2017: Bulls Reach Buyout Agreement with Wade

On September 24, 2017, the Chicago Bulls reached an agreement on a buyout with Dwyane Wade, three months after trading Jimmy Butler and waiving Rajon Rondo.

February 8, 2018: Trade Back to Miami Heat

On February 8, 2018, at the NBA trade deadline, Dwyane Wade was traded back to the Miami Heat by the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for a protected 2024 second-round draft pick.

February 2018: Trade Back to Miami

In February 2018, Dwyane Wade was traded back to the Miami Heat, where he finished his playing career.

2018: Announces Retirement After 2018-19 Season

In the offseason of 2018, Dwyane Wade announced his intentions to retire after the 2018-19 season and re-signed with the Miami Heat on September 18.

2019: Retirement

In 2019, Dwyane Wade retired from his professional basketball career.

2020: Miami Heat Retired Wade's Jersey

In 2020, the Miami Heat retired Dwyane Wade's #3 jersey.

April 2021: Minority Owner of Utah Jazz

In April 2021, Dwyane Wade became a minority owner of the Utah Jazz.

April 16, 2021: Wade Purchases Stake in Utah Jazz

On April 16, 2021, Dwyane Wade purchased an undisclosed minority ownership stake in the Utah Jazz franchise of the NBA.

July 14, 2023: Joins Ownership Group of Chicago Sky

On July 14, 2023, Dwyane Wade joined the ownership group of the WNBA franchise Chicago Sky as a minority stakeholder.

2024: Miami Heat Receive Draft Pick

On February 8, 2018, at the NBA trade deadline, the Miami Heat traded Dwyane Wade to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In exchange, the Miami Heat received a protected 2024 second-round draft pick.