Dwyane Wade Day: Marquette gets in on 'Last Dance'

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Dwyane Wade’s last dance went back to college.

The Miami Heat guard, who has named his 16th and final NBA season “One Last Dance”, was the guest of honor at Marquette’s game against Providence on Sunday. Wade had been a star player for the Golden Eagles during the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons, and led Marquette to the Final Four in his final college year before transitioning to the NBA.

The weekend was a celebration for Wade, who played his final game in his hometown, Chicago, on Saturday night, where the Heat defeated the Bulls. He and his family then made a short journey north to chilly Milwaukee. Here, students and fans wore gold T-shirts, with his name and the number 3 on the back, in honor of “Dwyane Wade Day.”

“I carry that Marquette badge with me proudly everywhere I go.” – @DwyaneWade

Golden Eagles and @MiamiHEAT star, Wade looks back on his time in Milwaukee as he sees his No. 3 jersey lifted into the rafters. #onelastdance pic.twitter.com/RRlq0iYwmI

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) January 20, 2019

“Wade said, “I believe my younger self would be proud of me.”

At halftime, Marquette and some individuals from Wade’s close-knit group unexpectedly brought his two eldest sons and the nephew he’s raising onto the court, much to his surprise. His oldest son, Zaire Wade, gave him the Marquette letter jacket he never received during his college years. His younger son, Zion Wade, gifted him a small-sized jacket for the latest family member, Kaavia James Union Wade.

Wade believed his children couldn’t attend due to clashes with their own basketball schedules in Miami.

“I’m usually not easily surprised,” Wade admitted. “But you all managed to surprise me today.”

From Marquette University, No. 3, @DwyaneWade… pic.twitter.com/IG74CAbxj3

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) January 20, 2019

Wade, seated in baseline seats next to the Marquette bench, was joined by his wife, Gabrielle Union, and his mother, Jolinda Wade. During the game, several tributes were presented to him, some of which were displayed on the video screens during timeouts, and another one was made on-court during halftime.

Former Marquette players Travis Diener and Jae Crowder, along with Georgia coach Tom Crean, who previously coached Wade at Marquette, sent video messages of well-wishes. Wesley Matthews, another Marquette alumnus, also sent a message and attended the game as he and his Dallas Mavericks team were scheduled to play the Milwaukee Bucks in the same venue on Monday. Steve Novak, who was Wade’s college teammate, was spotted among the audience.

“Marquette coach Steve extends his heartfelt thanks for your return here to let us honor your amazing career. Your significant contributions to Marquette, the game of basketball, and every community you have interacted with are truly appreciable.”

“Wojciechowski stated in a recorded speech that served as Wade’s halftime introduction, ‘We love you. We’re so proud of you.'”