Dwyane Wade Explains Why He's Decided to Seek Therapy after NBA Retirement

Dwyane Wade has revealed that he’ll be seeing a therapist following his retirement from the NBA and also explained why he’s doing it despite previous reservations.

At only 37, Wade has three NBA championships and 13 All-Star game appearances under his belt, and while the Miami Heat star will be playing his final regular-season games this week, he opened up about his concern for life after basketball.

PREPPING FOR CHANGE

Wade, alongside his actress wife Gabrielle Union, recently sat for an interview with ESPN and the Shooting Guard did not mince words when asked about his imminent transition to post-basketball life.

“I'll be in therapy,” Wade said, adding that his retirement will be “a big change” because basketball has been a central aspect of his life for a long time.

WADE'S TURNAROUND

He continued:

“I told my wife, I said, I need to do therapy and we need to do a little bit. I was always against someone that don't know me telling me how to live my life or giving me instructions. But I need someone to talk to about it. Because it is a big change. Even though I got a long life to live, other great things I can accomplish and do, it's not this. So it's going to be different.”

GABRIELLE UNION'S THOUGHTS

Union, 46, could not hide her approval of Wade’s decision, mainly because, as she revealed, he was never a fan of therapy.

“I've been going many years. He's like, ‘All right, good luck with that,’” noted the “Bring It On” alum. “So for him to come around and see the benefit, and actually look forward to it, I think it is going to do a lot for the stigma. For mind, body and soul wellness.”

IN LOVE WITH KAAVIA JAMES

Asked if he’ll be taking on any new projects, Wade, who already has a wine brand and clothing line, admitted that he has “no idea” what he wants to do yet, but if there’s something he’s sure about, it’s he and Union’s five-month-old daughter, Kaavia James.

During the interview, Wade justified his decision to take paternity leave following the birth of Kaavia via surrogacy and beyond that, any follower of the Union-Wade family on social media can testify to how smitten he is by the little girl.

Besides getting his first-ever tattoo in honor of her first name, Wade also continues to document priceless father-daughter moments on Instagram, like their first dance and the time he held her to his chest in a carrier while flying on a private plane.

Wade is also a doting dad to sons, Zaire, 17, and Zion, 11, who he shares with his ex-wife, and five-year-old Xavier who he shares with an ex-girlfriend.