He became an NBA legend skipping defenders. Now, he’s learning to skip rocks — on a quiet Long Island beach.
That’s life these days for Dwyane Wade, who’s moved on from packed arenas to peaceful afternoons on the Long Island Sound.
Wade and his wife, actress Gabrielle Union, spent the Fourth of July weekend getting cozy in their new $2.6 million beach house in Jamesport—playing Spades, hosting friends and soaking up the small-town charm of the North Fork.
The couple, who purchased the cedar-clad retreat late last year, shared glimpses of the holiday weekend on social media. Wade on Instagram posted photos and video of card games, lawn lounging and waterfront views from their private slice of the East End.
“I’m kind of falling in love with the East Coast a little bit in the summertime,” he said on TODAY, where he guest-hosted the fourth hour (Jenna and Friends) with Jenna Bush this week.
Community pride
Wade and his bride purchased the modern, beachfront home late last year, according to The New York Post, which detailed that the 4,228-square-foot house features an indoor-outdoor layout with oversized sliding glass doors, an open chef’s kitchen, a heated saltwater pool and private beach access.
But for the Wades, it’s not just about the luxe amenities — it’s about the local friendly vibe.
“One thing we’re not used to is how neighborly everybody in our community is,” said Wade, a three-time NBA champion with the Miami Heat. “We’re getting chicken pot pie, beef pot pies. I’ve never received so much stuff. I saw this in movies — I’ve never experienced it.”
The Wades — who have been living in Los Angeles and are frequent fixtures on red carpets and in courtside seats — have found something new and different out east.
“This is why we moved here,” said Wade, who retired in 2019 after a 16-year career that also included stops in Chicago and Cleveland. “It’s for that community aspect and feeling that we feel like we miss sometimes because we travel a lot… This community has allowed us to feel a part of it.”
Learning new tricks
Wade, now a broadcaster, entrepreneur, and part-owner of the NBA’s Utah Jazz and the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, isn’t just playing host. He’s making new friends and learning new tricks.
“I was on the beach and a guy walked up and he gave me a rock,” he said. “‘Do you know how to skip rocks?’ And I’m like, ‘No. Can you teach me?’”
Union, known for films like “Bring It On” and “Think Like a Man,” and more recently for her work as an author, producer and activist, is enjoying the laid-back change of pace.
The couple was seen around Riverhead over Memorial Day weekend and again in Jamesport over the Fourth, signaling perhaps that they’re not just summer guests — they’re settling in.
