While much of the recent buzz surrounding Dwyane Wade was generated by a potential free-agent partnership on the court with LeBron James, the Heat guard already has teamed up with another NBA great to make an impact off the court.

Wade made a surprise visit to Miami Norland High School last week with executives from Nike's Jordan Brand to present a $10,000 donation to help the school with expenses. The presentation was part of promotional events for the release of the Air Jordan 25th Anniversary shoe.

Michael Jordan was in town to launch the marketing campaign that will lead up to Wade debuting the Air Jordan 2010 in February during All-Star Weekend festivities near Dallas.

Wade could barely make it through a crowd of hundreds of Norland students to get to the stage where he presented the check and speak to students. The donation was an extension of Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program to assist teachers who inspire student academic excellence.

``The atmosphere was bananas,'' Wade said of the surprise pep rally at Norland. ``It was so loud in there I could barely think. But it went great. To represent Michael and to show a school in Miami that it's worthy of great things was amazing. To do this and everything else I'm doing with Team Jordan means a lot. I'm just glad I'm able to be part of this.''

It's the second time in as many seasons that Nike has used South Florida and a celebrity NBA athlete to launch a signature shoe. Last December, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant made a surprise visit to Dillard High in Fort Lauderdale to give Nike Zoom Kobe IV shoes to the basketball team.