| Wade to be SI's Sportsman of the Year |
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By Craig Barnes South Florida Sun-Sentinel December 3 2006 MEMPHIS: Guard Dwyane Wade will be named Sports Illustrated's 2006 Sportsman of the Year on Monday, according to a league source. Wade, the fourth selection in the NBA Draft in 2003, averaged 28.4 points per game in last season's NBA playoffs as he led the Heat's run to its first NBA championship. He was named MVP of the NBA Finals after averaging 37.4 points per game against Dallas. Wade's selection will be announced at New York, but he will be on the West Coast where the Heat plays the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday. Wade will be the fourth athlete in South Florida history to receive the prestigious honor. Fort Lauderdale tennis player Chris Evert was chosen in 1976. Golfer Jack Nicklaus, who lives in Palm Beach Gardens, was selected in 1978, and former Dolphins coach Don Shula was the choice in 1993. In his fourth season, Wade has emerged as one of the NBA's superstars. He also has become one of the new faces of the NBA and has appeared in several high profile commercials. Wade has emerged as an active force in the South Florida community participating in numerous charitable causes. |