Early Life and Education of Dwyane Wade: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Dwyane Wade. A timeline of key moments.

Dwyane Wade, a co-owner of the Utah Jazz and host of 'The Cube', is celebrated as one of the NBA's greatest shooting guards. Primarily with the Miami Heat during his 16-year career, he secured three NBA championships. His accolades include 13 NBA All-Star selections, eight All-NBA Team selections, and three All-Defensive Team honors. Wade holds Miami's franchise records for points, games played, assists, steals, shots made, and shots taken.

Sections (4)

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

1980: Reference to Flash Gordon

Shaquille O'Neal would sing "He's the greatest in the Universe", in reference to the Queen song of the same name from the 1980 film Flash Gordon, giving Dwyane Wade the nickname "Flash".

Loading Video...

January 17, 1982: Dwyane Wade's Birth

On January 17, 1982, Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr. was born. He would later become a professional basketball player, playing for the Miami Heat and co-owning the Utah Jazz.

Others born on this day/year

October 14, 2001: Mother's Vow to Turn Life Around

On October 14, 2001, as Dwyane Wade's basketball career started to flourish, his mother, JoLinda, pledged to change her life.

2001: Mother's strengthening ties to Christianity

In 2001, Dwyane Wade's mother, Jolinda, strengthened her ties to Christianity after years of drug problems.

2002: Mother's ministry during prison sentence

In 2002 and 2003, Dwyane Wade's mother, Jolinda, served as a minister during her final prison sentence.

2002: Marriage to Siohvaughn Funches

In 2002, Dwyane Wade married his high school sweetheart Siohvaughn Funches.

March 8, 2003: Marquette captures Conference USA title

On March 8, 2003, three days after JoLinda was released from prison, she watched Dwyane Wade play basketball for the first time in five years as Marquette upset the Cincinnati Bearcats, 70–61, to win the Conference USA title.

2003: Mother's ministry during prison sentence

In 2002 and 2003, Dwyane Wade's mother, Jolinda, served as a minister during her final prison sentence.

2003: Founded The Wade's World Foundation

In 2003, Dwyane Wade founded The Wade's World Foundation, which supports community-based organizations promoting education, health, and social skills for at-risk children. He also hosts various community outreach programs in Chicago and South Florida.

2003: JoLinda Quit Drugs

In 2003, JoLinda, Dwyane Wade's mother, stated that she had been drug-free since 2003.

2005: Rise in Popularity

During the Heat's 2005 NBA playoffs run, and Wade's performances, led to media attention and rapid increase in Wade's popularity. Wade's jersey became the league's top-selling jersey and remained so for nearly two years.

2005: Featured on People's 50 Most Beautiful People

In 2005, Dwyane Wade was featured on People's 50 Most Beautiful People.

2006: Talk show Appearances after Championship Success

After the Heat's success and Wade's memorable performances during the 2006 NBA playoffs, Wade appeared on several talk shows, including Late Show with David Letterman and Live with Regis and Kelly.

Loading Video...

January 2007: Mother ordained as a Baptist minister

In January 2007, Dwyane Wade's mother, Jolinda, was ordained as a Baptist minister and formed the Temple of Praise Binding and Loosing Ministry in Chicago.

2007: Split from Siohvaughn Funches

Dwyane Wade and Siohvaughn Funches split up in 2007.

2007: Appearance on Supernanny

In 2007, Dwyane Wade appeared as a role model on Season 3, Episode 13, of Supernanny and gave advice to the family's son.

Loading Video...

2007: Named to Esquire's Best Dressed Men in the World List

In 2007, Esquire named Dwyane Wade to their fourth annual Best Dressed Men in the World list for the second straight year.

May 2008: Purchase of a church building for mother's ministry

In May 2008, Dwyane Wade purchased a church building for his mother's ministry and also tithes 10% of his salary to the church.

December 24, 2008: Purchased Home for South Florida Family

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

2008: Began Dating Gabrielle Union

Dwyane Wade began dating actress Gabrielle Union in 2008.

September 2009: Donation to Robbins, Illinois public library

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

January 2010: Co-founding of The Athletes Relief Fund for Haiti

In January 2010, Dwyane Wade and Alonzo Mourning co-founded "The Athletes Relief Fund for Haiti" to raise money for the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, raising over $800,000 in three days.

2010: Divorce from Siohvaughn Funches

Dwyane Wade and Siohvaughn Funches divorced in 2010 after an acrimonious court battle.

2011: Granted Sole Custody of Children

In 2011, Dwyane Wade was granted sole custody of his two children.

December 2013: Engagement to Gabrielle Union

In December 2013, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union became engaged.

August 30, 2014: Marriage to Gabrielle Union

On August 30, 2014, Dwyane Wade and actress Gabrielle Union got married in Miami.

November 7, 2018: Welcoming First Child with Gabrielle Union

On November 7, 2018, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union welcomed their first child together, a daughter, who was born via surrogate.

2019: Guest judge on America's Got Talent

In 2019, Dwyane Wade appeared as a guest judge on season 14 of America's Got Talent alongside his wife, Gabrielle Union, and pressed the Golden Buzzer for dance group V.Unbeatable.

Loading Video...

July 2020: Tweet in support of Nick Cannon

In July 2020, Dwyane Wade tweeted in support of Nick Cannon, who was fired from ViacomCBS after making racist remarks and endorsing antisemitic conspiracy theories. He later deleted the tweet and clarified his support was for Cannon's ownership of his content and brand, affirming his zero tolerance for hate speech.