NBA veteran Wade set for his All-Star game swan song

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The All-Star game on Monday will be the 13th and last NBA marquee game for Dwyane Wade.

The three-time NBA champion returned to the Miami Heat last February and is expected to end his illustrious 16-year career where it started. Even after being left out of the original list of All-Stars, Wade was named among the “special team roster additions” for the game and joined LeBron James' side on Sunday in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The 2010 All-Star MVP won NBA titles with Miami in 2006, 2012 and 2013, apart from also winning Olympic gold with the U.S. team in 2008.

The 37-year-old is still averaging 13.8 points and 3.7 rebounds as he continues to contribute for the Heat as a reserve.

Dwyane Wade (C) of Team LeBron reacts to a play during the 2019 NBA All-Star Practice & Media Day at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. /VCG Photo

In Monday's All-Star game he will team up with James once again. They played together for four years in Miami.

Wade, father of two sons and a daughter said ahead of the game that he will spend time with his family after retiring.

“I don't know what the future will be like but I know everything will be different. I had two sons earlier and now I also have a daughter. I think my recently-born daughter has come to my life at the right time and it's just the right time for me to leave the game. I don't want to miss the moment I never had. She's in my heart.”

While talking about helping his son be a professional basketball player like him, Wade mentioned, “I don't want to coach him. I want our relationship to be not just a father and son, but a brother, and I know he likes basketball. He's got a good genetic look, and I'm going to give him a chance, but I'm not going to teach him.”