“It means a lot. It’s what you come to Marquette for,” Kam Jones said after securing a win for the Golden Eagles and one for himself. The 22-year-old Marquette guard had just made history, becoming only the third player in the school’s basketball history to notch a triple-double in a single game. His record-breaking performance surpassed one set by none other than Miami Heat icon Dwyane Wade. While the Golden Eagles celebrated the historic moment, Jones got an unexpected surprise—a personal call from Wade himself.

Marquette’s social media captured the moment during Jones’ filming of his podcast, The K1 & Stewie Show. While he and co-host Stevie Mitchell were in the middle of a conversation, they received a surprise interruption. “Listen, I just want to take a minute, dog,” Wade said. “I know y’all are on the podcast right now, but I wanted to give some love not only to Marquette and what y’all doing, but to my brother Kam for the triple-double last night.”

What made Wade’s gesture even more special was his personal connection to the moment. “It was crazy. I was looking at my phone the whole night trying to catch the game,” Wade shared during the call. He went on to encourage Jones, adding, “This is what I’m talking about—leaving your footprints.” Jones, humbled by the recognition, thanked Wade, who then invited Jones to join his podcast.

But for Jones, the night wasn’t just about breaking records. He dedicated his milestone performance to his late high school coach, Terry Tippett, who had passed away just days before. “I wanted to really dedicate this game to him and dedicate the rest of the season to him,” Jones said. Tippett had been a guiding force in Jones’ life, coaching him in his freshman year at Evangelical Christian in Memphis, Tennessee.

Jones’ determination and talent have been evident. As the team’s leading scorer for the past two seasons, his consistent performances have kept Marquette in the national spotlight.

How Jones broke D-Wade’s record?

It all started with Kam Jones stepping into the spotlight this season. With two key players heading to the NBA, Jones knew it was his moment to shine. Averaging 22.6 points per game, he proved his worth; and then again, taking on No.6 Purdue.

In their 5th game of the season, the Golden Eagles’ defense was relentless, holding a seven-point halftime lead and cruising to a 76-58 victory. Jones, remained dominant throughout, finishing the evening with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. This triple-double didn’t just power Marquette to victory; it also snapped Purdue’s 39-game non-conference winning streak.

To truly understand the weight of this moment, you have to go back to 2003, when Dwyane Wade achieved his own triple-double. That year, Wade led Marquette to 26 wins—their best season since 1994—and a spot in the Final Four. His standout game? The Elite 8 matchup against Kentucky, where he put up 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Breaking Tony Miller’s 1994 record, Wade cemented his legacy.

Fast forward to now, Wade made sure to show love to Jones. Sharing an Instagram story with Jones’ stats, Wade wrote, “Congrats to my guy Kam.” A passing of the torch? Maybe. One thing’s for sure—Jones is leaving his own mark.