“I’d go over and show him my love.” Dwyane Wade has always found the greatest people sitting on his table. But at times, it takes a gemologist to identify a true diamond. And in this case, that person was none other than 11x NBA champion Bill Russell. Not just anyone could see the true potential in Wade as Russell did. Back in 2003, Wade’s rookie year, Russell made a prediction. One, that Wade would see come true within just the next three years. Even now, Wade recalls every single word the legendary Russell told him. What did Russell see in Wade? Can you guess?

In a recent episode of Comeback with Dwyane and Bob, the Heat legend shared a pivotal moment with the legendary Bill Russell. A moment that would later go on to shape his career. As a rookie, Wade was invited to the legendary brunch where he met Russell with another GOAT Jerry West. It was there that Russell recognized Wade’s true potential.

Wade recalls going to the iconic legend and shaking his hands in his soft rookie voice. He then mentioned what Russell had said to him that time, “Marquette, they didn’t know, they were sleeping on you.” Although Wade led the Golden Eagles to great heights, even earning the MVP title in the Midwest Region, he chose to skip his senior year and join the professional league instead.

And Russell wasn’t bluffing. He knew exactly what he was talking about. He’d seen Wade play for the Marquette Golden Eagles in college and knew the real potential was there. Wade went from relative obscurity to attending All-Star Weekend in LA. It was a testament to Russell’s vision for Wade. Just like Russell, Wade solidified his place among the greatest. But now the real question is, how deep does the relationship between Wade and Russell go?

Dwyane Wade and Bill Russell’s long relationship

In the same episode, Dwyane Wade reflected on a meeting that would shape more than just his basketball career. It would lay the foundation for a lifelong bond with one of the game’s greatest icons, Bill Russell. Wade recalled his time at Marquette, saying, “When I was at Marquette…I set out my freshman year and throughout the year…Coach K was building a program, and what he did is he brought a lot of people to come in and speak to us.” These weren’t just any guests, they were winners, legends in their own fields. And Bill Russell was among those winners.

That encounter marked the beginning of a relationship that would go outside the game. Wade went on to say, “I met Bill Russell my freshman year when I was sitting out, right? Got a chance to build a relationship with him, and then the next year, my sophomore year… he would be at games, man, and I’d go over and show him my love.”

But it didn’t stop there. The connection between them only grew stronger. Wade added, “I always had a relationship with Mr. Russell, Bill Russell. Started from my Marquette days and so the relationship it just continued throughout my NBA career.” This wasn’t just about basketball. It was about mentorship, respect, and a bond that would last far beyond the court.