Hard work, small towns and bobcats: Exploring Cavs’ Dean Wade’s roots

The story of Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade and his rise to the NBA, becoming one of the best defensive players in the league, where he’s been tasked to guard the likes of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker after growing up in the middle of Kansas in small-town St. John, is one that deserves a Hollywood movie script.

Maybe it’s not Hoosiers, the 1986 classic movie about small-town Hickory, Indiana and coach Norman Dale, taking his tough-natured team to the high school championship game in 1950’s Indiana. However, it certainly deserves some more attention because it’s a genuinely good story where hard work, persistence and a gift for the game are acknowledged at the highest level.

An interview with the parents and former coach of the Cavs’ Dean Wade illustrates how hard work and a love of basketball can pave the way to the NBA.

I had the opportunity recently to catch up with Wade’s parents and one of his coaches from his junior high and high school days. I lived out in Kansas myself for over 25 years and had the chance to follow Wade’s career through high school and then when he attended Kansas State. The former Mr. Kansas basketball player had a brilliant career growing up but, you might never know that from the quiet and reserved demeanor he has exhibited since he was in grade school.

Now as a member of the Cavs he has brought that same level of excellence to a team that is also on the rise. Wade hasn’t ever knocked your socks off when it comes to scoring bunches of points in the box score, but like I’ve shared before, Wade excels at doing all the little things, from the rebounds to the hustle plays and the 50/50 balls, to tracking opponents down in transition, and by playing outstanding defense. He simply makes the team better when he’s out on the court.

Here are my interviews with both Wade’s parents, Jay and Trish Wade, and then his junior high and assistant high school basketball coach Kurt Fairchild. You’ll learn about Wade’s appreciation for the game by studying former NBA greats such as Dirk Nowitzki. You’ll also surprisingly learn how Wade is not only an excellent fisherman but also an expert in catching wild bobcats in the fields of Kansas. Yes, a bobcat!

And you’ll find out that the Cavaliers certainly have a player that is all about the team and winning. That type of attitude is certainly contagious, and this Cavalier team has benefited from a player of Wade’s demeanor and talents.

Also, it’s great that the Cavs will seemingly get Wade back soon from a calf injury, and it seems they will, as he was upgraded to questionable Wednesday, and it appears could play versus the Chicago Bulls. Wade’s former coach stated that it’s not serious, and the team has been very cautious with him, and it seems he should be back pretty soon; his parents echoed that too.