Shaquille O’Neal has done it. Charles Barkley is also embracing it well. Kenny Smith, Bill Walton, Kevin Garnett, Reggie Miller, and the list just goes on for the NBA players who have been equally good when facing the cameras. Dwayne Wade—the Miami Heat legend—bid farewell to the game in 2019 after achieving everything an NBA player could have asked for. The 43-year-old Hall of Famer carried forward his success in his post-retirement career as well. Having stakes in teams like the Chicago Sky and Utah Jazz all while invested in multiple other ventures like Wade Cellars and ‘Proudly’—co-owned by his wife Gabrielle Union, just proves how successful Wade has been. Come 2025,  Wade is preparing to embark on a new chapter—one that pushes him into unfamiliar territory and presents a challenge unlike any he has faced before.

Maestro of clutch moments and electrifying plays, Wade’s name is synonymous with confidence. Yet, when he prepared to co-host a major television show, the NBA legend encountered an unfamiliar sensation – nervousness. This new arena, far removed from the hardwood floors of the NBA, presented challenges that even a seasoned athlete like Wade had to navigate with humility and determination.

Earlier this month, CNBC confirmed that Dwyane Wade to join forces with Jenna Bush Hager as the next co-host of Jenna and Friends for TODAY Network—a morning show under the umbrella of NBC. While it may seem like a cakewalk—stepping into a media empire valued at $167 billion—Wade faced an entirely new challenge. One where every word, every cue, and every pause mattered. Adjusting to the rhythm of live television wasn’t easy, and he admitted to facing challenges early on.

Determined to improve, Wade took an approach he was familiar with – studying film. “So I went and looked. I went back and watched the film and I looked at my notes,” he explained. Over time, he became more comfortable, refining his ability to insert himself into conversations naturally. “If you watched me as the week went on, I knew how to jump in. I knew how to make sure that I got my questions out because it sounds different coming from man, woman, right? What I care about versus what somebody else cares about. But also, too, what they’re there to promote, and it’s my job to get that out.”

Wade also spoke about another major challenge – reading from a teleprompter.

“I said, I got to read the teleprompter. This is not something I do every day. That ain’t easy. It ain’t—it ain’t easy to get the cadence,” Wade admitted. “And it’s moving, and you got to say these people’s names, and like—you know—you got to finish these people’s names. You got to—you know—it’s certain words that come up, and you got to be able to hit that word. I messed up a lot of words.”

For Wade, the experience felt like being back in school, learning an entirely new craft. “I’m still learning how to. I’m in school at the same time,” he said, acknowledging that mastering the skill would take time.

Few could have predicted Dwyane Wade’s pivot to morning television. But he showed up there with his unwavering determination and guile like a man possessed. He undertook the responsibility very seriously and did his due diligence in preparing for the role. Let us see what preparations he undertook. 

A different kind of preparation for Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade found himself in uncharted waters. It was completely different from the live broadcasting of the sport. In basketball, Wade relied on his instincts, honed through years of experience, to dictate his next move. Also, he could prepare by watching films of previous games. Unlike the open floor of an NBA game, where he could impose his will, morning television required structure, patience, and precision.

Despite his confidence in front of the camera, Wade quickly internalized that morning television required an entirely fresh approach. Each day, the crew sent him an email that broke down the show into structured blocks. They detailed what topics would be covered, who would be speaking, and how the flow of conversation was expected to unfold. He embraced a level of preparation, and as Dwyane himself said, “It helped me lock-in.”

Over time, Wade found his footing. Just as he once studied defenses and adapted his game to stay ahead of opponents, he began to understand the nuances of live television. He learned when to lean into a discussion when to hold back, and how to let his personality shine without forcing the moment, and it showed.

Wade’s journey proves one thing. Whether it’s on the court or in the studio, greatness comes from growth, preparation, and the willingness to embrace the unfamiliar through struggle!