Before the flash and fame, Dwyane Wade’s story started on the gritty courts of Chicago’s South Side. Before the NBA accolades and Olympic gold, his journey began quietly at Marquette. His breakthrough came in the 2003 NCAA Tournament when he dropped a triple-double against No. 1-seeded Kentucky, becoming only the third player in NCAA history to do so. That moment didn’t just put Marquette back on the map—it sent Wade’s name flying up NBA draft boards.

Marquette has a storied history of producing NBA talent, with 58 players selected in the NBA Draft since 1948. The program has produced stars like Dwyane Wade, Jimmy Butler, and Jae Crowder. UConn coach Dan Hurley praised Marquette’s program for its “first-class culture” and “player development,” underscoring its reputation for cultivating skilled, professional athletes. 

In a recent episode of the Thanalysis Show, the veteran Bucks sharpshooter Michael Redd commented on how, at Marquette, Dwayne Wade would run with him. While Wade was in his first year of college, Redd was already in the NBA. Redd recalls recognizing early on that “this kid [Wade] is special.” He credits Jolinda Wade, Dwayne’s mother, for their friendship. “His mother got along really well…just a lot of similarities and how we grew up and what not and we spent a lot of time in the Olympics together…” Both credited their mothers’ influence for keeping them grounded and focused on the bigger picture.

“He [Wade] has a fire lit under him right now,” Redd said of his 2008 Olympic teammate. “A lot of critics and naysayers doubted his skill or his game, or his health. He has come back with a vengeance.”  After so many years, he still stands by his words, “When you mention top two guards in the history of the game, you have to mention him both offensively and defensively.” 

Coach Crean and the rise of Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade entered Marquette University as a partial qualifier. For those unfamiliar with the term, this meant that Wade had not met the NCAA’s academic requirements to participate in games during his freshman year. Essentially, The Flash was sidelined from competition as his teammates took the floor. While this setback could have deterred many young athletes, Wade used it as a launching pad for his future success

The only reason he did so was because of his coach at the time. Coach Tom Crean. In the university’s undergraduate commencement address in 2022, Wade said, “The first person to offer me a scholarship, whether I passed the ACT or not, was Coach. I later found out he actually didn’t even have permission to do so.” What’s surprising is the fact that Marquette had never acquired a partial qualifier in the past. Clearly and accurately, Coach Crean saw something special in Wade.

During his redshirt year, Wade focused on enhancing his physical conditioning and basketball IQ. He observed practices closely, learning from teammates and coaches. This period of self-improvement and reflection laid the foundation for Wade’s imminent comeback.

By his sophomore season, Wade emerged as a dominant force on the court. He led Marquette to the Final Four in 2003, marking the program’s first appearance since 1977. Wade’s performance throughout the NCAA Tournament was exceptional. In the Elite Eight, he delivered a triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, leading Marquette to an 83-69 victory over No. 1 seed Kentucky.

Sure, Marquette eventually buckles against Kansas in the Final Four. But for Wade, he had already established himself as one to watch. He averaged 21.5 points per game during the season. D-Wade led the team in scoring and earning Conference USA Player of the Year honors. Years later, Wae came back to participate in some meaningful contributions to his alma mater.

While Wade went on to become a Hall of Famer, it was his mother Jolinda and Coach Crean who gave him the confidence to chase his dream. Their influence wasn’t limited to cheering courtside, but instead, it boiled down to giving Wade unwavering support.