Marquette University Athletics
Dwyane Wade To Enter NBA Draft
5/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
May 1, 2003
By JULIET WILLIAMS
Associated Press Writer
MILWAUKEE (AP) - All-American Dwyane Wade will enter the NBA draft and forgo his senior season at Marquette.
"I think I'm going to take my game to the NBA and see what the future holds for Dwyane Wade," he said at a news conference at the school Thursday, flanked by his wife, 1-year-old son and Golden Eagles coach Tom Crean.
Wade said he had spent every day since the season ended trying to decide whether to enter the draft, but said he hadn't made up his mind until Wednesday.
"I woke up, I prayed to God, and he led me the right way," Wade said.
Wade still plans to get his college degree, saying he would finish the remaining credits as soon as he can.
"That's something I can always have on my son. If I don't have a degree, I can't tell my son to get one," Wade said.
Crean was on the verge of tears as he spoke about Wade.
"We had no idea that he would have the impact that he has had," Crean said.
Marquette's first All-American since Butch Lee 25 years ago, Wade led the Golden Eagles to a 27-6 record and the school's first Final Four appearance since Al McGuire won the national title in 1977.
Wade's stock rose considerably during the NCAA tournament, with outstanding performances against Pittsburgh and top-ranked Kentucky, before the Golden Eagles lost to Kansas in the national semifinals.
He was the second All-American to declare for the draft Thursday, joining Texas sophomore guard T.J. Ford. The other three members of the All-American team were seniors.
Against Pitt, Wade scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half. Two days later against Kentucky, he had 29 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in Marquette's first-ever win over a No. 1-ranked team. It was the third triple-double in NCAA tournament history.
The 6-foot-4 Wade averaged 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists in leading the Golden Eagles to the Conference USA regular-season championship.
Crean signed a contact extension last month to stay at Marquette, ending speculation he might take the Illinois job after Bill Self left to go to Kansas.
