Dwyane Wade recall playing basketball with Barack Obama at the White House: "He hit the game-winning shot"

Dwyane Wade recall playing basketball with Barack Obama at the White House: “He hit the game-winning shot” originally appeared on Basketball Network.

Barack Obama has always had a deep passion for basketball, going back to his childhood days, when he was better known as Barry. He played for the varsity team at Hawaii Punahou School and won the state championship in 1979. His learnings from the hardwood helped shape specific core values he carried throughout his life, even when he became the US president.

Elected President in 2009, Obama had a full-size basketball court built at the White House. Getting a hoop session whenever time permitted, he was known to host high-profile pick-up games, which included some of the biggest names from the NBA dropping by.

One such occasion was his 49th birthday, with superstars like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Derrick Rose in attendance. The format was usually a mix of pro players and amateurs. President Obama would invite the Wounded Warriors to come and watch the game.

During a 2012 interview with Time Magazine, D-Wade shared some insights into the pick-up games at The White House, even addressing President Obama’s game.

“He was kind of like a point guard. He was passing a lot. He’s smooth, like he talks, like he walks. He didn’t shoot too much, but I passed it to him, and he hit the game-winning shot. That was cool,” replied Wade, who shares a solid association with Obama.

More than just a game

Basketball was a significant part of Obama’s childhood in Honolulu, Hawaii. It helped him apply his energy in the right direction. He believed lessons learned on the court, such as leadership, team spirit, and collaboration, could be used in real life as well.

“Basketball was a refuge, a place where I made a lot of my closest friends, and picked up a lot of my sense of competition and fair play. It was very important to me all the way through my teenage years,” said Obama, during a 2008 interview.

Retiring from the President’s office in 2017, Obama continues to support the game. In 2021, he became the strategic partner for NBA Africa to help fulfill the league’s social responsibilities, raising awareness on issues like gender equality, education, and quality of life.

Obama weighed in on the GOAT debate

A popular topic in barbershop conversations involves MJ and LeBron pitted against each other. Many believe that the GOAT debate has begun to reach its saturation point. Nonetheless, it continues to draw attention, especially regarding the opinions of well-known individuals.

One such instance was when Obama highlighted the difference between Jordan and James.

“If you’re just looking at, let’s say, a ten-year slice, I would say that MJ’s peak was higher than LeBron’s. I have to give credit to LeBron’s longevity, and so they are both great in slightly different ways, and they are both champions,” said Obama, who felt every generation had its preference.

Obama certainly knew how to play it safe when it came to choosing between the two greats. The former President felt both the nominees were great in their respective ways. That said, he was always a Bulls fan, given his association with the city of Chicago earlier in his political career.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared.

Dwyane Wade recall playing basketball with Barack Obama at the White House: “He hit the game-winning shot”

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