“It made him brighter,” Dwyane Wade‘s father said about one crucial decision his son made early in his life. This one particular decision transformed his life and led him to become the basketball legend we know today. However, it was never an easy choice to leave home and cherished ones behind. The Flash left home just at the age of 16. 26 years after the incident, the 3x NBA Champ opened up about his feelings and the reason behind his decision.

As his father recounted the moment in The Wine Down Podcast, Wade shared that he was scared after he had a slight tussle with his dad. “I was scared. I was scared, boy, scared,” Wade said. And following that, he left home and didn’t return for a week. He was just a teenager who had big dreams and determination to fulfill those.

The father of the Miami Heat icon was asked about his thoughts on the situation. In response, Wade Sr. mentioned that he left his parents’ house at the age of 16. Praising his son’s decisions, Wade’s father said, “I had to let him be him but I think it paved the way for him to be who he is today. It helped grow him up, made him brighter, you know what I’m saying? So it was a good move.”

He further added that it helped his son to grow and thrive, which was why Wade wanted to move out of his home.

Dwyane Wade moved in with his ex-girlfriend

In an interview with GQ, the Miami Heat legend stated that the environment at his father’s house was very toxic. And he had to move out to escape the toxicity. However, that also meant for him to leave his loved ones behind. It was the only way for the Miami Heat legend to focus on his career. And the only place that offered him that solace was his ex-girlfriend’s house.

The Flash decided to move in with his ex-girlfriend Siohvaughn Funches, and her mother. “I knew it was time for me to go because I needed to focus on me, and the home structure wasn’t allowing that,” Wade said. 

He further added, “I needed to be selfish. My girlfriend’s house allowed me to do that because it was just her and her mother…  I got out there and put my life in the hands of another family and not my family.” Cut to 2024, he is one of the most successful athletes-turned-businessmen and a doting father.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard bArmato had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video.