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NBA Draft: 30 greatest draft picks in league history

By Josh Cornelissen

Larry Bird, Boston Celtics, Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Tom Herde/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Larry Bird, Boston Celtics, Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Tom Herde/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat. (Photo by Peter Andrew Bosch/Miami Herald/MCT via Getty Images) /

110. . Shooting Guard. Marquette Golden Eagles, 2003 (No. 5). Dwyane Wade. 16. player

Greatest NBA Draft picks in league history: Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

Although many of his compatriots made quick entrance into the NBA Draft — straight from high school or via one year in college — Dwyane Wade spent three seasons at Marquette University. As a junior, he led the Golden Eagles to the Final Four, their first berth in 26 years. Wade was a consensus First-Team All-American.

The 2003 NBA Draft is viewed as one of the best ever, as Wade was a key part of that. After LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh all went in the top four picks (all expected to be Hall-of-Fame players) Wade was taken No. 5 overall by the Miami Heat.

During his first tenure with the team he was a 12-time NBA All-Star, making eight All-NBA teams and being on the All-Defensive Team three times. Wade’s breaking out party was in the 2006 NBA Finals when he carved up the Dallas Mavericks’ defense. That would be the first of three titles Wade earned with the Heat, including two with the previously mentioned James and Bosh.

Although Wade left and signed with the Chicago Bulls and later joined the Cleveland Cavaliers, he was welcomed back with open arms when he returned to Miami. A special player, Wade is without a doubt the player most beloved by basketball fans in Miami.