Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dwyane Wade has rejoined the team after taking an excused leave of absence to mourn the loss of his long-time friend and agent, Henry “Hank” Thomas, according to a report from Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.
Thomas, 64, was one of the most influential agents in the NBA. Over the course of his career, he represented some of the league’s greatest athletes, including Wade, Udonis Haslem, Chris Bosh, Tim Hardaway, and several other Miami Heat players.
Wade sent out a heart-felt message after hearing of Thomas’s death.
“Dear Hank, I’m writing this letter to you as I cry both tears of SADNESS and tears of JOY,” Wade wrote in his post. “I know — I know — I can hear your voice saying, ‘Come on my man, you got this!’ I can picture your face and feel your hugs in so, so many moments in my life. Whether it’s you hugging me and saying how proud you are of me or congrats on winning a NBA championship or you hugging me and saying everything’s gonna be alright -— we will get thru this.”
“I can’t thank you enough for these last 15 years,” Wade continued. “You should be so proud of the job you did on this young, misguided kid from Chicago. I was a young 21 when we met, and I needed a Man’s love. My dad and I had things to work out and I was leaving my father-figure, Coach Crean, so you stepped in right away and became that MAN I desperately needed.
“I hate saying my “agent” because you have always been way more than that to me,” Wade wrote in closing. “I cry these tears because, selfishly, I wanted you to be there when I got my jersey retired, or when I gave my hall of fame speech, or when I had a daughter. I’ve got so many questions on how to raise a strong, confident, intelligent, independent black woman. I hope you don’t mind, but I will still be calling on you for guidance. I love you, Henry (Hank) Thomas. THANK YOU for loving me right back. Be at peace. We (your family) got this!!! Your son, Dwyane!”
Wade, now 36 years of age, missed two games, but it sounds like he’s ready to suit up for Tuesday’s tilt in the Motor City. In his 42 games played for the Cavs this season, the three-time champion has turned in averages of 11.1 points on 45.3 percent shooting from the field (32.3 percent from beyond the arc), 3.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.