Dean Wade
Dean Wade is an American professional basketball player who plays as a power forward and small forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on November 20, 1996, in Wichita, Kansas, he measures 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m) tall and weighs 228 pounds (103 kg).[1][2] Wade attended St. John High School in St. John, Kansas, before committing to play college basketball at Kansas State University. Over four seasons with the Kansas State Wildcats from 2015 to 2019, he appeared in 126 games, making 123 starts, and averaged 12.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in 29.3 minutes of play. During his collegiate career, Wade earned two All-Big 12 selections and was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team in 2015–16.[3][4] Following his college career, Wade went undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft but signed a two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers on July 1, 2019. He converted to a standard NBA contract later that year and has remained with the Cavaliers throughout his seven-season professional career, appearing in 296 regular-season games with career averages of 5.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game while shooting 42.5% from the field and 36.5% from three-point range (as of November 2025). As a reliable role player off the bench, Wade has contributed to the Cavaliers' defensive versatility and perimeter shooting, helping the team achieve contention in the Eastern Conference playoffs during recent seasons.[5][6][7][7]Early life and high school career
Early life
Dean Wade was born on November 20, 1996, in Wichita, Kansas.[8] His family relocated to the small town of St. John, Kansas, when he was young, where he spent much of his formative years in a rural, farming community environment.[9][10] Wade's upbringing was deeply influenced by his athletic parents, Jay and Trish Wade, both hailing from small-town Kansas. Jay Wade, originally from Haviland, Kansas, played football as a flanker for one season at Kansas State University in 1985.[11][12] Trish Wade, a standout multi-sport athlete, competed in volleyball and basketball at Barton County Community College before transferring to Florida Southern College, where she earned all-conference honors; she was inducted into the Barton Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.[12][13] Their backgrounds in competitive sports fostered an early interest in athletics within the family, shaping Wade's initial pursuits.[14] Wade has an older sister, Teresa, who was an all-state volleyball player at St. John High School and named the 2010 Class 1A State Division I MVP.[11] This familial emphasis on sports naturally led Wade toward basketball during his high school years.High school career
Dean Wade attended St. John High School in St. John, Kansas, where he played four years of varsity basketball, earning a letter each season starting as a freshman in 2011–12.[11][15] Under his leadership, the St. John Tigers achieved an impressive 86–6 overall record during Wade's tenure, culminating in three Kansas state championships: Class 1A in 2013 and Class 2A titles in 2014 and 2015.[11][15] In his senior year of 2014–15, Wade guided the team to a perfect 26–0 season and their third consecutive state title, scoring 28 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in the 49–44 championship victory over Central Plains.[16] Wade earned multiple individual honors, including selections to the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association All-State team for several seasons and the 2015 Parade All-American First Team as one of only 30 high school seniors nationwide.[11][16][17] As a senior, he was named the Gatorade Kansas Boys Basketball Player of the Year and Mr. Kansas Basketball by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, while also being nominated for the McDonald's All-American Game.[16][18] That season, he averaged 24.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.7 steals, and 2.9 blocks per game, shooting 72.5% from the field, 42.5% from three-point range, and 76.2% from the free-throw line.[16] Wade's standout high school performance drew attention from college recruiters, leading to his oral commitment to Kansas State University on August 31, 2014, as the first in-state recruit under head coach Bruce Weber.[19] He officially signed his national letter of intent with the Wildcats on November 12, 2014, joining a recruiting class that included Barry Brown and Dante Williams.[20]College career
2015–16 season
Dean Wade joined the Kansas State Wildcats as a true freshman forward for the 2015–16 season, opting to play immediately rather than redshirt. He appeared in all 33 games, starting 31, and averaged 26.4 minutes per contest while contributing 9.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. His efficient scoring (43.4% field goal percentage) and rebounding helped stabilize the frontcourt early in his college career. Wade was also named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team.[4] The Wildcats compiled a 17–16 overall record, including a 5–13 mark in Big 12 play that placed them eighth in the conference standings under head coach Bruce Weber. Wade's role expanded quickly, with his high school accolades as a Parade All-American and Mr. Kansas Basketball facilitating a smoother transition to the collegiate level. In non-conference play, he notched double-digit points in several outings, including a debut performance of 12 points and 6 rebounds in a 71–55 win over Arkansas–Pine Bluff on November 13, 2015. Another standout effort came on December 4, 2015, when he scored 17 points—16 in the second half—to secure a 68–66 victory against Georgia, hitting the game-winning jumper with under a minute remaining.[21][22][23] Wade's adjustment to Big 12 competition highlighted his freshman learning curve, as the conference's physicality and pace tested his 6-foot-10 frame despite added weight room strength. He occasionally came off the bench for matchup purposes, exemplified by a 17-point outburst against No. 1 Oklahoma on February 6, 2016, which earned him Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors after shooting 7-of-10 from the field. However, performances against rival Kansas were tougher, where he averaged 3.7 points across three matchups while adapting to elite defenders. Overall, Wade ranked third on the team in scoring and second in rebounds, emphasizing his defensive presence with 0.5 blocks and 0.6 steals per game alongside developing his perimeter shooting (29.2% from three-point range). His foundational growth in these areas positioned him for expanded responsibilities in subsequent seasons.[24][25][26][4]2016–17 season
In his sophomore season, Dean Wade emerged as a full-time starter for the Kansas State Wildcats, starting all 35 games and tying teammates Barry Brown Jr. and Kamau Stokes for the most starts by a sophomore in program history.[3] He also tied school records with 35 appearances, contributing significantly to the team's efforts throughout the year. Averaging 28.0 minutes per game, Wade posted 9.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, showcasing improved consistency building on his freshman campaign.[4] Wade's development was evident in his enhanced perimeter shooting, where he connected on 40.2 percent of his three-point attempts (53-of-132), a marked improvement that added versatility to his forward role. His playmaking also progressed, with the increased assists reflecting better court vision and distribution within Kansas State's offensive system. These contributions helped the Wildcats achieve a 21-14 overall record and an 8-10 mark in Big 12 play, securing a sixth-place conference finish.[4] The season culminated in Kansas State's return to the NCAA Tournament after a three-year absence, where they advanced through the First Four with a 95-88 victory over Wake Forest before falling in the first round to Cincinnati, 75-61.[27][28][29]2017–18 season
Wade's junior season at Kansas State marked a significant breakout, as he emerged as one of the Big 12's top forwards, averaging 16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game across 33 appearances while starting 32 contests.[4] Building on the foundation from his prior seasons, Wade displayed improved scoring efficiency, shooting 55.0 percent from the field and leading the Wildcats in scoring on 13 occasions, including 11 Big 12 games.[11] His early performance was particularly dominant, highlighted by a career-high 34 points on 13-of-16 shooting, including 6-of-8 from three-point range, in a 91–75 road victory over Iowa State on December 29, 2017.[30] Wade's strong contributions earned him first-team All-Big 12 honors from both the league coaches and the Associated Press, recognizing his impact as a versatile 6-foot-10 forward who anchored the frontcourt.[31] However, the season turned injury-plagued late, as Wade suffered a stress reaction in his right foot during the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal win over TCU on March 8, 2018, which forced him to miss the semifinal against Kansas the following day.[32] The injury persisted into the NCAA Tournament, sidelining him for the first two rounds before he returned for limited action—logging just eight minutes—in the Sweet 16 victory over Kentucky on March 23; he did not play in the Elite Eight loss to Loyola Chicago on March 25.[33] Despite Wade's postseason limitations, Kansas State achieved a 25–12 overall record (10–8 Big 12), advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2008 and demonstrating the depth he helped build during the regular season.[34]2018–19 season
Wade entered his senior season at Kansas State after recovering from a foot injury that had hampered him during the previous year, prompting a cautious approach to his return. He missed the first six games but quickly reasserted himself upon debuting on November 26, 2018, against South Dakota. Over the course of the season, Wade appeared in 25 games, starting all of them, and averaged 12.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 30.4 minutes per game.[4] His efficient scoring and versatile play helped anchor the Wildcats' frontcourt, particularly in transition and from beyond the arc, where he shot 41.8 percent on three-pointers.[11] Wade's performance earned him significant recognition, including a selection to the first-team All-Big 12 Conference, marking his second consecutive year on the list.[35] He was also named to the USBWA All-District VI team, honoring top players in the Great Plains region.[36] As a leader, Wade emphasized team cohesion and mentorship for younger teammates, contributing to Kansas State's strong regular-season finish. A highlight of Wade's career came during the 2018–19 campaign, when he became the only player in Kansas State history to accumulate at least 1,000 points, 100 three-pointers, 500 rebounds, 200 assists, and 100 steals.[11] These milestones underscored his all-around impact over four seasons. The Wildcats finished 25–9 overall and 14–4 in Big 12 play, winning the conference regular-season title before receiving a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they lost in the first round to No. 13 UC Irvine, 70–64.[37]Professional career
2019–20 season
After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, Wade signed a two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers on July 9, 2019.[38] He made his NBA debut on November 18, 2019, in a home win against the New York Knicks, recording one steal in nearly nine minutes off the bench.[39] Over the course of the season, Wade appeared in 12 games for Cleveland, averaging 1.7 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.3 blocks in 5.9 minutes per game.[8] Wade spent the majority of his rookie year developing with the Cavaliers' NBA G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge, where he appeared in 30 games (starting 29) and averaged 14.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 31.1 minutes per game.[40] His performances in the G League highlighted his versatility as a forward, including strong defensive contributions and efficient shooting from beyond the arc at 39.9 percent.[40] On June 29, 2020, the Cavaliers converted Wade's two-way contract into a standard multi-year NBA deal, securing his place on the roster heading into the league's restart.[41] The 2019–20 season had been abbreviated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with games suspended on March 11, 2020, and resumed in late July without fans in the Orlando bubble.2020–21 season
In the 2020–21 season, Dean Wade established himself as a key rotation player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, appearing in 63 games with 19 starts while averaging 19.2 minutes, 6.0 points, and 3.4 rebounds per game.[8] This marked a significant increase from his limited rookie-year experience, where he played in just 12 games, helping build his confidence for a more consistent role in the NBA rotation.[8] Prior to the season, Wade had signed a four-year, $5.6 million contract with the Cavaliers on June 29, 2020, converting from his two-way deal and providing financial security as he transitioned to full-time NBA duties.[42] Wade primarily served as a versatile bench forward, contributing defensive versatility and floor spacing with his three-point shooting, connecting on 36.6% of his attempts from beyond the arc.[8] His ability to guard multiple positions and stretch the floor complemented the Cavaliers' young core, though the team struggled overall, finishing with a 22–50 record and missing the playoffs.[43] One of Wade's standout performances came on April 11, 2021, against the New Orleans Pelicans, where he scored a then-career-high 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 5-of-8 from three-point range, while adding six rebounds and three steals in 31 minutes.[44] This game highlighted his growing offensive impact off the bench during a season of steady development.2021–22 season
In the 2021–22 season, Dean Wade served as a rotation player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, appearing in 51 games with 28 starts while averaging 19.2 minutes per game. He contributed 5.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per game, showcasing efficiency with a 45.6% field goal percentage and 35.9% from three-point range on 3.9 attempts per game.[7][8] The Cavaliers compiled a 44–38 regular-season record, clinching the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference before falling in the play-in tournament to the Atlanta Hawks, thus missing the playoffs. Wade's role emphasized defensive versatility as a 3-and-D wing, where he provided steady perimeter defense and switchability alongside the team's young core during their transition from rebuild to competitiveness.[45][46] His multi-year contract, secured prior to the season, offered roster stability that allowed Wade to focus on refining his game amid the team's evolving roster dynamics.[47]2022–23 season
Wade's 2022–23 season was severely limited by multiple injuries, marking a challenging year after his breakout performance the prior season that had earned him a lucrative extension. In early November 2022, he missed six consecutive games due to a sore right knee, which hampered his early-season rhythm.[48] On December 2, 2022, during a home win against the Orlando Magic, Wade suffered a left shoulder AC joint sprain in the first half after landing awkwardly on a drive to the basket.[49] The Cavaliers initially estimated a 3-4 week absence following post-game imaging, but a minor setback during rehabilitation in mid-January extended his recovery.[50] Wade returned on January 21, 2023, against the Milwaukee Bucks, playing limited minutes in a reserve role as he worked back to form—ultimately missing 23 games from the shoulder injury alone.[51] Upon his return, Wade appeared in limited minutes amid the team's crowded forward rotation, contributing to a season total of 44 games with 13 starts and averages of 4.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 20.3 minutes per game.[52][53] That prior reliability culminated in a three-year, $18.5 million contract extension signed on September 27, 2022, securing him through the 2025–26 season with $16.5 million guaranteed. The Cavaliers finished 51–31, clinching the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference before falling to the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, 4–2.[54] Wade appeared in 2 postseason games, averaging 1.0 point and 1.5 rebounds in 5.5 minutes per contest, focusing on rehabilitation during the offseason.[48][8]2023–24 season
In the 2023–24 season, Dean Wade contributed as a rotation player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, appearing in 54 regular-season games with 32 starts while averaging 20.5 minutes, 5.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. He shot 41.4% from the field and 39.1% from three-point range, providing floor spacing despite a late-season knee injury that caused him to miss the final 15 games. One of Wade's standout performances came on December 21, 2023, when he scored 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, in a 128-106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. The Cavaliers finished the regular season with a 48-34 record, securing the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, Cleveland lost 1-4 to the Orlando Magic in the first round, with Wade appearing in 3 games and averaging 3.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 21.0 minutes per contest.2024–25 season
In the 2024–25 season, Dean Wade emerged as a key rotation player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, appearing in 59 games with 30 starts while averaging 5.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 21.2 minutes per game.[8] His performance marked career highs in rebounding average and nearly matched his previous best in starts, showcasing his growth into a reliable forward who provided defensive versatility across multiple positions, including guarding wings and bigs effectively.[52] This evolution from a primarily bench role in prior seasons allowed him to contribute to the Cavaliers' league-best 64–18 regular-season record, securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference.[55] During the playoffs, Wade appeared in 9 games across the Cavaliers' postseason run, averaging 1.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 15.7 minutes per contest. Cleveland defeated the Miami Heat 4–1 in the first round before falling 1–4 to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.[56] Wade's steady contributions on the glass and in switching schemes helped stabilize the frontcourt amid injuries to key players.[8] As the final year of his three-year, $18.5 million extension signed in 2022, Wade's consistent play positioned him to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025–26 season, during which he is earning $6,623,456.2025–26 season
As of November 16, 2025, Dean Wade has appeared in 13 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the early stages of the 2025–26 NBA season, averaging 5.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while playing 21.8 minutes per game.[8] His shooting efficiency has been 36.9% from the field through these contests.[8] Wade has maintained his role as a rotation forward, offering defensive versatility and stepping into starting lineups amid frontcourt injuries, including those affecting Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley in prior seasons.[1] This continuity builds on his expanded contributions during the 2024–25 season, where he solidified his place in the rotation.[52] A notable early event occurred on November 5, 2025, when Wade exited a 132–121 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers due to an eye injury and did not return, though he was listed as questionable.[1] The Cavaliers hold a 9–5 record as of November 16, 2025. Wade is in the final year of a three-year, $18.5 million contract extension signed with Cleveland on September 27, 2022, earning $6,623,456 for 2025–26 before becoming an unrestricted free agent in the 2026 offseason.[57] No extension negotiations took place during the 2025 offseason.[58] Early performance trends indicate Wade's per-game output aligns closely with his 2024–25 averages of 5.4 points and 4.2 rebounds across 59 appearances, suggesting a projection of similar production—around 5–6 points and 3–4 rebounds—if his playing time stabilizes at 20–22 minutes.[2][52]Career statistics
Per-Game Averages
| Season | G | MP | PTS | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 12 | 5.9 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | .692 | .500 | .000 |
| 2020-21 | 63 | 19.2 | 6.0 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.3 | .431 | .366 | .769 |
| 2021-22 | 51 | 19.2 | 5.3 | 2.9 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.1 | .456 | .359 | .667 |
| 2022-23 | 44 | 20.3 | 4.7 | 3.4 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.5 | .412 | .354 | .652 |
| 2023-24 | 54 | 20.5 | 5.4 | 4.0 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.5 | .414 | .391 | .769 |
| 2024-25 | 59 | 21.2 | 5.4 | 4.2 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | .413 | .360 | .533 |
| 2025-26* | 13 | 21.8 | 5.5 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.5 | .369 | .313 | .750 |
Career Totals and Averages
Totals
| G | MP | PTS | TRB | AST | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 296 | 6,798 | 1,484 | 1,045 | 301 | 172 | 99 |
Averages
| G | MP | PTS | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 296 | 23.0 | 5.0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.3 | .429 | .364 | .676 |
Advanced Metrics
| Season | PER | TS% | WS/48 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 13.9 | .744 | .105 |
| 2020-21 | 11.3 | .573 | .080 |
| 2021-22 | 10.1 | .584 | .111 |
| 2022-23 | 8.5 | .550 | .097 |
| 2023-24 | 10.2 | .598 | .110 |
| 2024-25 | 10.1 | .563 | .113 |
| 2025-26* | 9.0 | .512 | .085 |
| Career | 10.2 | .573 | .103 |
NBA playoffs
Wade first appeared in the NBA playoffs during the 2022–23 postseason with the Cleveland Cavaliers, though his role was limited in subsequent years until a more expanded contribution in 2024–25.[8] Over his playoff career to date, he has played in 14 games across three postseasons, providing depth as a forward with contributions in rebounding and defense.[8] The following table summarizes Wade's per-game playoff averages by season:| Season | Team | G | MP | FG% | 3P% | FT% | PTS | TRB | AST | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | CLE | 2 | 5.5 | .000 | .000 | 1.000 | 1.0 | 1.5 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
| 2023–24 | CLE | 3 | 21.0 | .286 | .286 | .000 | 3.7 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.7 |
| 2024–25 | CLE | 9 | 15.8 | .333 | .250 | .000 | 1.7 | 4.2 | .7 | .3 | .1 |
College
Dean Wade played college basketball for the Kansas State Wildcats from 2015 to 2019, appearing in 126 games and starting 123 of them. Over his career, he averaged 12.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 49.8% from the field and 38.6% from three-point range.[4] The following table summarizes Wade's per-game statistics by season:| Season | G | GS | MP | FG% | 3P% | FT% | TRB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–16 | 33 | 31 | 26.4 | .434 | .292 | .656 | 5.1 | 1.1 | 9.9 |
| 2016–17 | 35 | 35 | 28.0 | .496 | .402 | .663 | 4.5 | 1.8 | 9.3 |
| 2017–18 | 33 | 32 | 32.8 | .550 | .440 | .752 | 6.2 | 2.7 | 16.2 |
| 2018–19 | 25 | 25 | 30.4 | .492 | .418 | .789 | 6.2 | 2.8 | 12.9 |
| Career | 126 | 123 | 29.3 | .498 | .386 | .712 | 5.4 | 2.1 | 12.0 |
| Season | Win Shares (WS) | Box Plus/Minus (BPM) |
|---|---|---|
| 2015–16 | 3.1 | 5.0 |
| 2016–17 | 3.7 | 6.9 |
| 2017–18 | 5.9 | 11.7 |
| 2018–19 | 4.0 | 9.8 |
| Career | 16.7 | 8.2 |