Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

Taking the stand today for the first time since a custody trial over his two sons began a month ago, basketball superstar Dwyane Wade spent the morning denying a gamut of allegations made by his ex-wife and former high school sweetheart.

No, Wade testified, he never abused his children or beat his wife as Siohvaughn Wade had alleged.

He never “rejected” or “abandoned” them, Wade said.

And, he said, he is not seeking sole custody of his sons, 8 and 3, as a means to escape paying child support or as “punishment” against his ex-wife for her accusing him of domestic violence.

“For the first time, I’m going to have the opportunity to have my voice heard,” said Wade, who spoke in a calm voice and wore a crisp navy pin-striped suit and Louis Vuitton sneakers.

Under questioning by his attorney, James Pritikin, Wade worked to paint a picture of a loving father whose NBA career would not come in the way of his ability to affectionately and responsibly care for his children.

Wade, who grew up in Robbins and has homes in Chicago and Miami, said he wanted his ex-wife to remain in the lives of their children, but she needs to “get healthy first,” he said.

Earlier this month, the children’s child representative, Lester Barclay, requested a mental evaluation of Siohvaughn Wade.

The custody battle follows a messy, drawn-out divorce. Wade said he had to fight the urge to speak up, but he did so for his children. Siohvaughn Wade testified for 10 days in the custody battle before attorneys asked to interrupt her testimony to give other witnesses a chance, Pritikin said.

The “very public case” has been especially hard on his oldest son, who often cries and gets upset when the matter is brought up, Wade said.

“As a father, it hurts me to see him hurting,” Wade said.