Dwyane Wade covers the January 14th issue of ESPN Magazine. In it, Wade talks about his ambition, and the gossip, and staying true to yourself.

On His ambitions:
“I’ve always been really ambitious. As a kid, I always thought I could do more than people thought I could. I’m not the kind of person who likes to be in a box. My will is my greatest strength, ” Wade explains. “My will to get there. That’s why I’m here now. I willed myself.”

On gossip:
“When you’re young, you want to be famous. You want to be known. But having your personal business out there is not fun. I hear things, I read things and just laugh. Speculation is speculation. The thing that sucks about gossip is pepole believe it.”

On being the same Dwyane:
“This high-profile life hasn’t changed me,” he says, a sentiment echoed by his teammates, family members and friends. “I don’t worry about losing my way. I know that whatever happens, I can get myself back on track.”