NBA: Miami Heat retires Wade's jersey

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA (AA) - The Miami Heat retired their legendary superstar Dwyane Wade's No. 3 jersey on Saturday night to the rafters of American Airlines Arena.

During the halftime of the Miami Heat - Cleveland Cavaliers match, Wade's jersey retirement ceremony started.

Wade retired from basketball last season with the Heat, where he won three titles (2006, 2012, 2013).

"Your appreciation and love have never left me. If there is one word I want to portray to you tonight, it is gratitude," Wade said, in his speech, addressing to the fans.

Wade talked about how Miami Heat President of Basketball Operations, Pat Riley, first watched him on television when he was with Marquette University in the NCAA and decided to draft him.

"Pat’s philosophy of being the hardest-working, best conditioned, most professional, unselfish, toughest, the nastiest team in the @NBA is the mantra I lived by for 16 years, and a mantra I will continue to live by in my Act 2," he said.

He also thanked his family, coaches and teammates that helped him throughout his career.

The future Hall of Famer, Wade, averaged 22 points, 5.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds throughout his career. He scored more than 20,000 points (23,165).