Dwyane Wade Remembers White House Pickup Games with Obama

Barack Obama’s passion for basketball is well known, with the former president being a staple figure in the NBA world even after his time in office. NBA Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade once shared an unforgettable experience from over a decade ago, recalling how he played basketball with Obama while the latter was still in office.

During his presidency, Obama took his love for basketball to new heights, going as far as having a full-sized basketball court installed at the White House. His basketball journey began in high school, where he was talented enough to make the varsity team at Punahou School in Hawaii.

Obama even contributed to his school’s state championship win in 1979, although he never pursued the sport professionally. Despite this, Obama remains a regular at basketball games, offering his opinions on the sport and connecting with both former and current NBA players.

Pickup Games at the White House

Throughout his presidency, Obama opened the doors of the White House for friendly pickup basketball games. He was known to invite prominent NBA players, including Chicago natives Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, and the legendary LeBron James, for a casual mix of professional athletes and some players who weren’t in the NBA.

These exclusive games, however, were often kept under wraps, with few getting to see the fun behind the scenes.

In celebration of Obama’s 49th birthday in 2012, he gathered a group of his basketball-loving friends for a special game at the White House. Wade, in an interview with Time Magazine, shared some insight into what it was like playing basketball with the president.

Obama’s Basketball Style: The “Smooth” Point Guard

Wade described Obama’s playing style as being very much in line with his personality, smooth and calculated. The former Miami Heat star explained that Obama often took on the role of point guard, focusing on passing the ball rather than shooting. “He was kind of like a point guard. He was passing a lot. He’s smooth—like he talks, like he walks,” Wade said.

During one memorable game, Wade even had the honor of assisting Obama when he scored the game-winning shot. “I passed it to him, and he hit the game-winning shot. That was cool,” Wade reflected.