© Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dwyane Wade, Pau Gasol headline 2023 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Former Chicago Bulls stars Dwyane Wade and Pau Gasol have made it to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame after they were announced as part of the 12-member Class of 2023. The stacked class is a who's-who of basketball legends, including Dallas Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki and San Antonio Spurs greats Tony Parker as well as Gregg Popovich.
Brief Bulls career
Wade played just a season in his hometown of Chicago, signing with the team in 2016 after failing to come to terms on a new contract with the Miami Heat. He played 60 games for the Bulls and averaged 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Chicago made it to the NBA Playoffs as the eighth-seed and lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round, 4-2.
Although Wade played for the Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers and is currently part owner of the Utah Jazz, he will always be known for his time with the Miami Heat. He holds several records for the franchise, including the most points (21,556), assists (5,310), and steals (1,492).
"To be here right now, I'm 41 years old, and Jay and I was just talking about the history of going back to Marquette and remembering sitting out my first year and trying to get on the scenes trying to make a name for myself and to be in this class with some of the greatest players, international players ever played this game with Tony (Parker), Pau (Gasol) and Dirk (Nowitzki) it's just I'm like a kid in a candy store right now. I'm just super honored to be, you know, a part of this class," Wade said.
Two seasons of greatness from Pau
Similar to Wade, Gasol did not spend a long time playing for the Bulls, but his presence, leadership, and production were key in helping Chicago make it to the playoffs. In two seasons, Gasol averaged 17.6 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game while shooting almost 50% from the field.
