When you think of the Miami Heat, you think of shooting guard Dwyane Wade.
For most of his NBA career, D-Wade helped take the franchise to new heights. The three-time NBA champion won titles alongside superstar teammates Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James and Chris Bosh, and built an amazing individual resume that makes him one of the best players in NBA history.
In addition to his three rings and deep playoff runs, Flash won an NBA Finals MVP, a scoring title, and earned 13 NBA All-Star appearances. His talent was undeniable.
Off the court, Wade values his family above all. He's as known for his relationship with actress Gabrielle Union as he is for his basketball career these days.
He had to go through some storms to get there, though.
Dwyane Wade's Ex-Wife Siohvaughn Funches
RELATED: LeBron & Savannah James Are Raising a Family of Future Stars
Dwyane Wade grew up in Chicago and attended Harold L. Richards High School.
Wade married his high school sweetheart, Siohvaughn Funches, in 2002 while he was playing college basketball at Marquette. The couple had two children together, Zaire and Zaya (formerly Zion). In 2007, they filed for divorce and a rough court battle ensued.
Rumors, settlements, custody, and accusations were ruffled into a public and strenuous break up. Dwyane received sole custody of the two children in 2011.
In 2013, Wade and his first wife reached a settlement where the NBA star paid $5 million in addition to relinquishing their Chicago home and four cars. They signed a "non-disparage" agreement where each party is prohibited from publicly degrading each other.
Dwyane Wade's Wife Gabrielle Union
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTYCtToIyHN/
Dwyane Wade and Hollywood star Gabrielle Union began dating in 2008. They dated for five years before briefly taking a break in 2013 due to career demands.
During their separation, the former Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers guard conceived his son Xavier with longtime friend Aja Metoyer in early 2013.
The NBA player and the Bring It On star reconciled and got engaged in December 2013. They were married on August 30, 2014 in Miami, Florida.
In November 2018, the couple welcomed daughter Kaavia James Union Wade who was born via surrogacy. In addition to Zaire and Zaya, the couple also cares for Wade's nephew, Dahveon Morris.
The former NBA player appeared as a guest judge on Season 14 of NBC's "America's Got Talent" (AGT) while Union was a series regular. They regularly post pictures on social media, especially their Instagram accounts, and make annual appearances at Nebraska Cornhusker football games, too.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQxFBG-H—l/
Wade opened up on what makes his marriage work with PEOPLE in February 2020, just before the coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19 outbreak:
"She is her own boss and has her own career, her own bank account and all that," Wade says. "That she has her own life and she allows me to live my life and be me, and she doesn't try to stop my growth or change who I am."
The couple pushes each other to be the best versions of themselves every day. They both showed unconditional support for then 12-year-old Zaya, who identified as transgender in 2020. Wade credits Union for giving him a "different lens to look through." Wade gave a further look into his family life through the ESPN documentary "D. Wade: Life Unexpected."
Whether they are in New York, Los Angeles or on the red carpet together, the Wades always make it work. And although he's done making NBA postseason runs, D-Wade is still making a name for himself as a family man with his wife and kids.
