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 called his 16th and final NBA season “One Last Dance,” was the special guest at Marquette’s game against Providence on Sunday. Wade was a star player for the Golden Eagles during the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons, guiding Marquette to the Final Four in his final college year before transitioning to the NBA.

The weekend festivity was dedicated to Wade, who had his final match in his native Chicago on Saturday night where the Heat triumphed over the Bulls. He, along with his family, made a brisk journey to the chilly city of Milwaukee. There, students and fans put on gold T-shirts with his name and the number 3 printed on the back, marking the occasion as “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 of Wade’s close associates orchestrated a big surprise for him. They brought his two eldest sons and the nephew he’s raising onto the court. His oldest son, Zaire Wade, handed him the Marquette letter jacket that he had never received during his college years. The younger son, Zion Wade, presented him with a baby-sized jacket for the newest member of their family, Kaavia James Union Wade.

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

“Wade said, “I’m not usually surprised, 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, joined by his wife Gabrielle Union and his mother Jolinda Wade on either side, was the focus of several tributes throughout the game as they sat in baseline seats next to the Marquette bench. These tributes were showcased on the video screens during timeouts and another was presented on-court during halftime.

Former Marquette players, Travis Diener and Jae Crowder, as well as Georgia coach Tom Crean, who previously coached Wade at Marquette, sent their best wishes through video. Wesley Matthews, another former Marquette player, also sent a video message and was present at the game. He will return to the same building with the Dallas Mavericks on Monday to play against the Milwaukee Bucks. Steve Novak, who was Wade’s college teammate, was among the audience.

“Marquette coach Steve expressed his gratitude saying, “Thank you immensely for returning here and giving us the opportunity to pay tribute to your exceptional career. Your influence on Marquette and the game of basketball is profound. Additionally, your impact extends to every community you’ve interacted with.”

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