“One last dance”: Dwyane Wade gives the Miami Heat one last season before retiring

BY RYAN MERARD

Dwyane Wade, shooting guard for the Miami Heat, almost has decided to retire after spending 16 years in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Throughout Wade’s career, he spent 14 years with the Miami Heat and has been an important factor in the Miami Heat’s history. He helped the Heat win three national championships in the NBA and currently reigns as the Heat’s leader in points, assists, steals and games played.

The last couple months have been tough for Wade, as he has been struggling to decide whether he should retire NBA. On September 16, he finally made up his mind and announced in a YouTube video that he will not retire just yet and will give the Miami Heat “one last dance.”

“I think it’s great for the city of Miami to have a role model like him come back and give it one last dance,” sophomore Michael Robaina said.

Wade has always wanted to retire with the Heat, which is why he couldn’t leave the NBA just yet, as he played with the Cleveland Cavaliers last season. After the 2018-2019 season, Wade will retire from the league.

“What I feel is it’s right to ask you guys to join me for one last dance,” Wade said. “For one last season. This is it.”

Wade re-signed with the Heat for one year on the veteran’s minimum deal, which is $2.4 million.

Throughout Florida, Dwyane Wade is a name many people recognize, especially in the South Florida region, the Miami Heat’s home. With CCHS being in South Florida, Wade fans can be found all throughout the school; they are excited to see what he can bring to Miami in his final year.

“Can’t wait to see him play one last time,” sophomore Michael Rodriguez said. “It’s amazing to see someone like him playing for so long and still dominating the game.”

“I think it’s great he’s ending his career in Miami and let’s see what he has in store for us in the one more year he provides to the NBA.”

Wade has had such a great impact on South Florida to the point where he had a county temporarily named after him. According to ESPN,  in 2010 the commissioners of Miami-Dade County decided to change the name of their county to “Miami-Wade County” from July 1 to July 7, 2010. After this, Miami-Dade has been occasionally referred to as “Wade County.”

“Dwayne Wade influenced Florida in a big way through his basketball career. He provided Florida with three national championships, putting Miami on the map,” sophomore Brandon Robaina said. “I think it’s great he’s ending his career in Miami and let’s see what he has in store for us in the one more year he provides to the NBA.”

A large number of CCHS students are no stranger to basketball and a lot are fans of the Miami Heat. Many of those fans appreciate what Wade has done in his time with the Heat. Throughout his career, Wade has constantly been adding to his resume. Now, he gives himself one more year to put the finishing touches on his career.

“I think it’s great for the city of Miami to have a role model like him come back and give it one last dance,” sophomore Michael Robaina said. “I’m excited and the fans are excited to see what he’s going to bring to Miami for one last season.”

Photo courtesy of Dwayne Wade’s YouTube channel