Dean Wade grew up in an athletic household. His father, Jay Wade, played football at Kansas State and his mother, Trish Wade, played volleyball and basketball in high school.
Even after going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, he is earning fame as a power forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Dean Jackson Wade earned All-State honors and won three state championships at St. John High School. The Kansas Basketball Coaches Association (KBCA) selected him as a Mr. Kansas Basketball.
Later, he committed to playing college basketball at Kansas State, where he was named to the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team at the conclusion of his freshman season.
On July 9, 2019, the Cleveland Cavaliers signed a two-way contract with him and made his NBA debut against the New York Knicks on November 18.
He only played 12 games with the Cavaliers during his rookie season and spent most of the season with the Cavaliers’ G League affiliate, the Canton Charge.
Afterwards, he signed a multi-year deal with the Cavaliers on July 2, 2020. He set the NBA record for most three-pointers made by three different teammates in a single game alongside Donovan Mitchell and Kevin Love on October 30, 2022.
Dean Wade’s Parents’ Athletic Greatness Fueled His Success
Dean Jackson Wade, the son of Jay and Trish Wade, was born on November 20, 1996, in Wichita, Kansas. His parents raised him in Inman, Kansas, before moving to St. John.
He grew up with his sister, Teresa, an all-state volleyball player at St. John and the 2010 Class 1A State Division I MVP.
Dean Wade is a standout basketball player. His athletic prowess was inherited from his parents, who had impressive careers in their own right.
Their dedication to sports shaped their lives and laid the foundation for Dean’s success.
Before Dean became a star for the Wildcats, Jay Wade spent one season as a flanker on the Kansas State football team in 1985. He played two games, recording a catch for five yards.
Later, Jay became a key defensive back for the Leathernecks and led them to a Gateway Conference title and a berth in the Division I-AA playoffs.
His outstanding performance earned him First Team All-Gateway Conference honors and an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American in 1988.
On the other hand, Trish Wade was dominating on the volleyball court and basketball court.
Her athletic career began at Barton County Community College, where she excelled in both sports. She was inducted into the Barton County Community College Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
During her time at Barton, she led the Cougar volleyball team to an incredible 111 wins, including two top-four finishes at the NJCAA National Tournament.
Trish was named an All-American in the 1985-86 season before transferring to Florida Southern College, where she continued to shine.
She was named an AVCA Second Team All-American and earned First Team All-Sunshine State Conference honors twice.
Even after her playing days, she stayed involved in sports, becoming the volleyball and track coach at St. John-Hudson High School in Kansas. She led the team to a 1A State Championship in 2008.
Dean Wade Told His Parents He Would Be A Basketball Player
Dean Wade has never been one to chase the spotlight. For him, winning games and being a team-first player have always mattered more than personal accolades.
His journey to becoming a professional basketball player began with a childhood dream, which his parents initially saw as a hopeful possibility rather than a certainty.
Dean’s family moved to St. John, Kansas, when he was in the second grade.
His mother, wanting him to explore different interests, signed him up for basketball camp. Trish believed in letting her kids try things before deciding whether they liked them and basketball quickly became Dean’s passion.
When Dean was just 8, he told his mother that he was going to be a professional basketball player when he grew up.
Like any supportive mom, Trish responded, “I know you will, bud. Just keep working hard, and you can do anything you set your mind to!“
At the time, it was the kind of encouragement every parent gives their child. But Dean was determined and his quiet confidence and team-first mentality earned him respect from coaches and teammates.
His path to success wasn’t without challenges. During his college career at Kansas State, he battled injuries that tested his resilience.
However, instead of letting setbacks derail him, he used them as motivation. His ability to bounce back stronger each time showcased his mental toughness.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Dean Wade graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social science in May 2019.
- He married his longtime girlfriend, Kayla Wade, on August 20, 2022 and became a proud father of baby Wade.
- He scored a career-high 23 points on March 5, 2024, the largest fourth-quarter comeback in Cavaliers franchise history.
