Miami HEAT President and Head Coach Pat Riley announced August 19th that the team has signed its top pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, 6?4?, 210-pound guard Dwyane Wade from Marquette University, who the HEAT selected with the fifth overall pick. Wade was Miami?s highest draft pick since the HEAT selected Steve Smith with the fifth pick of the 1991 NBA Draft and the highest draftee in school history. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

?We feel like for us we made the best pick in the draft,? said Riley. ?Dwyane not only is a great addition to our youth movement, but will also compliment our veterans very well.?

Wade, who played collegiately for two seasons before becoming an early entry candidate after his junior year, became the first Marquette player since 1978 to be named a First Team All-American by the Associated Press. He also earned a spot on the Wooden Award All-America team and was one of five finalists for the Wooden Award after helping lead the Golden Eagles to the 2003 Final Four, the school?s first appearance since 1977. Wade finished his career ranked 20th on Marquette?s all-time scoring list with 1,281 points and also ranked ninth on both the school?s all-time steals list (150) and all-time blocks list (79).

?I am really excited to have signed my first NBA contract today, ? said Wade. ?It?s nice to now concentrate more about playing than the business side of things.?