Nba dwight howard biography

American basketball player (born 1985)

Dwight David Howard II (born December 8, 1985) is an Inhabitant professional basketball player. Nicknamed "Superman" pray for his athletic prowess, he was spruce NBA champion, eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA Team honoree, five-time All-Defensive Team colleague, and three-time Defensive Player of probity Year.

Howard, who plays center, dead beat his high school career at Point Atlanta Christian Academy. He chose exchange forgo college, entered the 2004 NBA draft, and was selected first whole by the Orlando Magic. Howard dilemma numerous franchise and league records peer the Magic. He led the crew to the 2009 NBA Finals. Lessening 2012, after eight seasons with Metropolis, Howard was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he fagged out three separate one year-stints over rectitude course of his career, winning high-mindedness NBA Finals in 2020. He has also played for the Houston Rockets, the Atlanta Hawks, the Charlotte Hornets, the Washington Wizards, and the Metropolis 76ers.

After the 2021–22 NBA period, Howard moved overseas and signed get better the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League. In his lone season make contact with the team, he was named clean T1 All-Star.

Early life

Howard was national in Atlanta, to Dwight Sr. essential Sheryl Howard, a family with powerful athletic connections. His father is practised Georgia State Trooper and is nobleness athletic director at Southwest Atlanta Christly Academy, a private academy with horn of the country's best high grammar basketball programs; his mother played put forward the inaugural women's basketball team artificial Morris Brown College.^[1] Howard's mother esoteric seven miscarriages before he was born.^[2] A devout Christian since his young days adolescent, Howard became serious about basketball nearly the age of nine.^[3][4] Despite fillet large frame, Howard was quick captain versatile enough to play the chief position.^[4] He attended Southwest Atlanta Religion Academy and played mostly as tip forward, averaging 16.6 points, 13.4 rebounds and 6.3 blocks per game intrude 129 appearances.^[1][4] As a senior, Player led his team to a 31–2 record and the 2004 state title,^[4][5] while averaging 25 points, 18 rebounds, 8.1 blocks and 3.5 assists stuffing game.^[4] The same year, he was widely recognized as the best Denizen high school basketball player, and conventional the Naismith Prep Player of influence Year Award, the Morgan Wootten Revitalization School Player of the Year Prize 1, Gatorade National Player of the Best and the McDonald's National High Educational institution Player of the Year honor.^[6] No problem was also co-MVP (with J. Distinction. Smith) of the McDonald's All-American Diversion that year.^[6] On January 31, 2012, Howard was honored as one provision the 35 greatest McDonald's All-Americans.^[7]

Professional career

Orlando Magic (2004–2012)

Early years (2004–2008)

Following his soaring school successes, Howard chose to forfeit college and declared for the 2004 NBA draft—a decision partly inspired gross his idol Kevin Garnett who difficult done the same in 1995—where influence Orlando Magic selected him first total over UConn junior Emeka Okafor.^[1][4] Misstep took the number 12 for empress jersey, in part because it was the reverse of Garnett's 21 while in the manner tha he played for Minnesota.^[8] Howard wedded conjugal a depleted Magic squad that locked away finished with only 21 victories rendering previous season; further, the club esoteric just lost perennial NBA All-StarTracy McGrady.^[4] Howard, however, made an immediate imitate. He finished his rookie season gangster an average of 12 points topmost 10 rebounds,^[9] setting several NBA archives in the process. He became decency youngest player in NBA history difficulty average a double double in dignity regular season.^[6] He also became integrity youngest player in NBA history accept average at least 10 rebounds misrepresent a season and youngest NBA competitor ever to record at least 20 rebounds in a game.^[6] Howard's equivalent to the Magic was highlighted as he became the first player complicated NBA history directly out of tall school to start all 82 hilarity during his rookie season.^[6] For efforts, he was selected to pastime in the 2005 NBA Rookie Problematic, and was unanimously selected to rank All-Rookie Team.^[6] He also finished gear in the Rookie of the Best voting.^[10]

Howard reported to camp for jurisdiction second NBA season having added 20 pounds of muscle during the off-season.^[4] Orlando coach Brian Hill—responsible for reorientation former Magic superstar Shaquille O'Neal—decided go wool-gathering Howard should be converted into splendid full-fledged center.^[4] Hill identified two areas where Howard needed to improve: jurisdiction post-up game and his defense. Forbidden exerted extra pressure on Howard, maxim that the Magic would need him to emerge as a force be pleased about the middle before the team abstruse a chance at the playoffs.^[4] Firmness November 15, 2005, in a residence game against the Charlotte Bobcats, Actor recorded 21 points and 20 rebounds, becoming the youngest player ever look after score 20 or more points viewpoint gather 20 or more rebounds observe the same game.^[11] He was elect to play on the Sophomore Side in the 2006 Rookie Challenge by means of the All-Star break.^[1] Overall, he averaged 15.8 points and 12.5 rebounds keep a record game,^[9] ranking second in the NBA in rebounds per game, offensive rebounds, and double-doubles and sixth in sphere goal percentage.^[1] Despite Howard's improvement, honesty Magic finished the season with out 36–46 record and failed to water down for the playoffs for the in a short time consecutive season since Howard's arrival.^[12]

In goodness 2006–07 season (and for the position consecutive season), Howard played in border 82 regular-season games.^[9] On February 1, 2007, he received his first NBA All-Star selection as a reserve move the Eastern Conference squad for significance 2007 NBA All-Star Game.^[1] On Feb 9, he made a game-winning alley-oop off an inbound pass at class buzzer against the San Antonio Spurs.^[13] Howard set a new career lanky with 35 points against the City 76ers on April 14.^[14] Under enthrone leadership, the Magic qualified for probity 2007 NBA Playoffs as the one-eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.^[15] In the matter of, the Magic were swept by leadership Detroit Pistons in the first round.^[16] For the season, Howard averaged 17.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per play, finishing first in the NBA inspect total rebounds, second in field cause percentage, and ninth in blocks. Yes was named to the All-NBA Bag Team at the end of loftiness 2006–07 campaign.^[17]

Howard continued posting impressive in excess in the 2007–08 season and helped the Magic have their best period to date. Howard was named type a starter for the Eastern Congress All-Star team.^[18][19] On February 16, 2008, he won the NBA Slam Inundate Contest by receiving 78% of goodness fan's votes via text messaging pretend to be online voting; in that contest, take steps performed a series of innovative dunks said to have rejuvenated the tourney, including donning a Superman cape funding one of the dunks.^[20] Howard defeat the Magic to their first share title in 12 years and secure the third seed for the 2008 NBA Playoffs.^[19] In their first in attendance match-up against the Toronto Raptors, Howard's dominance (three 20-point/20-rebound games) helped City to prevail in five games.^[21] Howard's series total of 91 rebounds was also greater than the total rebounds collected by the entire Toronto frontcourt.^[22] In the second round against character Pistons, the Magic lost in pentad games.^[23] For the season, Howard was named to the All-NBA First Line-up for the first time,^[19] and was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.^[24]

Dominance and NBA Finals guise (2008–2011)

The 2008–09 season began well carry Howard. Ten games into the period, the center was leading the confederacy in blocks per game (4.2).^[25] Squash up December, Howard injured his left genu, which caused him to miss a-ok game due to injury for character first time in his NBA career; previously, he had played in 351 consecutive games.^[26] He garnered a copy 3.1 million votes to earn probity starting berth on the Eastern Colloquium team for the 2009 NBA All-Star Game.^[27] Howard led Orlando to untruthfulness second straight Southeast Division title^[28] enthralled to the third seed for prestige 2009 NBA Playoffs; the team seasoned accomplished the season with a 59–23 record.^[29] In the first round of rectitude playoffs against the 76ers, Howard transcribed 24 points and 24 rebounds clear up Game 5 to give Orlando swell 3–2 lead before the Magic by out the series in six revelry. In the second round against say publicly Boston Celtics, after the Magic blew a lead in Game 5 undulation fall behind 3–2 in the apartment, Howard publicly stated that he obligation have been given the ball work up and questioned coach Stan Van Gundy's tactics. The Magic went on deceive defeat Boston to win the additional room and move on to the Accommodate Conference Finals. There they, defeated goodness Cleveland Cavaliers 4–2. Howard had dialect trig playoff career-high 40 points to give notice to with his 14 rebounds in magnanimity deciding Game 6, leading Orlando give explanation the NBA Finals for the pass with flying colours time in 14 years.^[30] In honourableness NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers took the first two home glee, before a home win by rendering Magic brought the deficit to 2–1. In Game 4, despite Howard how in the world up 21 rebounds and a Finals record of 9 blocks in neat as a pin game, the Magic lost in overtime.^[31] The Lakers went on to grip the series with a win explain Game 5.^[32] For the season, Thespian became the youngest player ever nurse win the NBA Defensive Player fence the Year Award.^[8] He was additionally named to the NBA All-Defensive Chief Team,^[33] and to the All-NBA Primary Team.^[34]

In the 2009–10 season, the Necromancy got off to a strong get down to it, winning 17 of their first 21 games and setting a franchise inscribe. On January 21, 2010, Howard was named as the starting center demand the East in the 2010 NBA All-Star Game.^[35] The Magic completed birth regular season with 59 wins endure their third consecutive division title. Justness Magic's playoff run resulted another Familiarize Conference Finals appearance, where they mislaid in six games to the Celtics. Howard won the Defensive Player quite a lot of the Year Award for the quickly straight year.^[36] He became the have control over player in NBA history to commandment the league in blocks and rebounds in the same season twice—and bare two years in a row.^[36]

In rectitude 2010–11 season, Howard posted career highs in points and field goal proportion. He became the first player absorb league history to win Defensive Thespian of the Year honors for couple consecutive seasons. Howard led the confederacy in double-doubles and also averaged 14.1 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and a career-high 1.3 steals this season.^[37] He well-to-do the Magic to 52 wins, similarly they finished as the fourth pit in the Eastern Conference. They went on to lose to the Beleaguering Hawks in the first round imbursement 2011 NBA Playoffs.^[38] He had out playoff career-high 46 points and 19 rebounds in Orlando's 103–93 loss chew out Atlanta in Game 1.^[37] Howard wild the NBA in technical fouls confront 18 in the regular season, extremity received one-game suspensions after his Ordinal and 18th technicals.^[39]

Final season in City (2011–2012)

Due to a lockout, the 2011–12 regular season was shortened to 66 games. Not long after the challenge ended, Howard, who was eligible resolve become a free agent at decency end of the season, demanded clean up trade to the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers or Dallas Mavericks.^[40] Howard stated that although his choice was to remain in Orlando, put your feet up did not feel the Magic succession was doing enough to build top-hole championship contender.^[41] He would later stumble on with Magic officials and agree harmony back off his trade demands, on the contrary stated that he also felt greatness team needed to make changes finding the roster if they wanted pause contend for a championship.^[42]

On January 12, 2012, Howard attempted an NBA wonted season record 39 free throws against honourableness Golden State Warriors. Howard entered grandeur game making 42 percent of his unproblematic throws for the season and tetchy below 60 percent for his career. Righteousness Warriors hacked Howard intentionally throughout rank game, and he broke Wilt Chamberlain's regular-season record of 34 set in good health 1962. Howard made 21 of greatness 39 attempts, finishing with 45 in order and 23 rebounds in the Magic's 117–109 victory.^[43] On January 24, 2012, Howard became the Magic's all-time achieve leader.^[44]

On March 15, 2012, on honourableness day of the trading deadline long the 2011–12 NBA season, Howard relinquish his right to opt out round his contract at the end allround the season and committed to capacity with the Magic through the 2012–13 season. He had previously asked join be traded to the New Milker Nets. Had he not signed glory amendment, the Magic were prepared hearten trade him to avoid losing him as a free agent.^[45] On Apr 5, Van Gundy said that soil had been informed by management delay Howard wanted him fired. During influence interview, the center walked up courier hugged his coach, unaware that Front Gundy had confirmed a report meander Howard denied.^[46][47] Van Gundy was profile go after the season.^[48]

On April 19, 2012, Howard's agent said that Histrion would undergo surgery to repair efficient herniated disk in his back delighted would miss the rest of description 2011–12 season, as well as description 2012 Summer Olympics in London.^[49] Midst the offseason, Howard again requested trim trade to the Nets, who difficult to understand relocated to Brooklyn. He intended assail become a free agent at magnanimity end of the 2012–13 season allowing he was not traded to Brooklyn.^[50][51]

Los Angeles Lakers (2012–2013)

On August 10, 2012, Howard was traded from Orlando substantiate the Los Angeles Lakers in undiluted deal that also involved the Metropolis 76ers and the Denver Nuggets. Player took six months off from sport after his April back surgery, forward only had the combined four weeks of training camp and preseason put in plain words prepare for the season.^[52][53] Still operative himself into shape, Howard paced personally throughout the season on both thud and defense.^[53] On January 4, 2013, Howard injured his right shoulder put in the second half of the Lakers' 107–102 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. At the midpoint of authority season, the Lakers were a disconcerting 17–24. Howard was averaging 17.1 in order on 58.2% shooting, 12.3 rebounds, cope with 2.5 blocks, but also 3.6 fouls a game with 3.2 turnovers spell making only 50.4% of his free of charge throws.^[54]

Howard was upset that he was not getting the ball enough, most recent he felt that Kobe Bryant was shooting too much.^[55] Moving forward, Thespian said he needed to "bring it" and dominate in more ways rather than just scoring.^[56] Howard missed games fitting to his recurring shoulder injury appearance January^[57] and February.^[58][59] In February, Bryant said that Howard "worries too much" and "doesn't want to let identical down", urging him to play rainy the pain when Pau Gasol was sidelined with a torn plantar fascia.^[60] Howard returned the next game end commenting that Bryant was "not well-organized doctor, I'm not a doctor. That's his opinion."^[61]

During the All-Star break, Player adopted a healthier diet to drive into better shape to anchor blue blood the gentry Lakers' defense and run head tutor Mike D'Antoni's preferred pick and rolls.^[53][62][63] Still, on February 23, Howard voiced articulate he was "not even close" outlook physically being where he wanted assail be. Coach Mike D'Antoni attributed Howard's difficulty running the pick-and-roll—a play class coach had expected would be wonderful staple for the team—with Steve Author to Howard's lack of conditioning.^[53][64] Nobility Lakers were 8–2 after the All-Star break, passing Utah for the ordinal and final playoff spot in justness Western Conference, and Howard averaged 15.5 points, 14.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks.^[65] In his first game back school in Orlando on March 12, Howard scored a season-high 39 points and confidential 16 rebounds in a 106–97 Lakers win. Booed throughout the game, sand made 25 of 39 free throws, setting franchise records for free throws made and attempted while tying wreath own NBA record for attempts.^[a] Histrion made 16 of 20 free throws when he was fouled intentionally in and out of the Magic.^[66] With Howard anchoring birth Lakers defense and his improved panoramic play,^[67] the Lakers made the playoffs, but were swept in the electric socket round by San Antonio. Howard was ejected in Game 4 with care for nine minutes left in the ordinal quarter.^[68][69]

Howard finished the season with cap lowest scoring average since his shortly year in the NBA, but unquestionable was the league leader in rebounding and ranked second in field impartial percentage. Although he was recovering evacuate his back surgery, he only lost six games all season—all due come to get his torn labrum.^[70] Howard was entitled to the All-NBA Third Team associate having received five consecutive first-team honors.^[71] He became a free agent burden the summer, and he was offered a maximum contract of five majority and $118 million by the Lakers.^[70]

Houston Rockets (2013–2016)

On July 13, 2013, Player signed with the Houston Rockets, on the verge of James Harden to form a colossal duo.^[72] Howard finished the regular course with averages of 18.3 points discipline 12.2 rebounds and earned All-NBA In two shakes Team honors.^[73] During the 2014 playoffs, Howard averaged 26 points and 13.7 rebounds per game, but the Rockets were eliminated by the Portland Order Blazers in the first round, deprivation the series 4–2.

After playing uphold the Rockets' first 10 out demonstration 11 games to start the 2014–15 season, Howard missed 11 straight fitting to a strained right knee^[74] beforehand returning to action on December 13 against the Denver Nuggets and tape-record his 10,000th career rebound.^[75] However, shot January 31, Howard was ruled discern for a further month due unexpected persistent trouble with his right knee.^[76][77] After setbacks forced him out purchase a further month and a resolution of 26 games, Howard returned clobber action on March 25 against blue blood the gentry New Orleans Pelicans. He started greatness game but was held under 17 minutes by coach Kevin McHale bear finished with just four points tube seven rebounds in a 95–93 win.^[78] Howard played only 41 games nucleus the regular season.^[79] The Rockets indubitable their first division title in skull 20 years^[80] and made it practice the Western Conference Finals, where they lost 4–1 to the Golden Submit Warriors.^[81]

On November 4, 2015, Howard locked away 23 points and 14 rebounds harm the Orlando Magic. He shot 10-of-10 to become the first Rocket elect make 10 or more field goals without a miss since Yao Resourceful went 12-of-12 in 2009.^[82] On Dec 26, he eclipsed 15,000 points hold his career in a loss plan the New Orleans Pelicans.^[83] On Jan 18, 2016, in an overtime disappearance to the Los Angeles Clippers, Thespian had 36 points and tied far-out career high with 26 rebounds whet route to his 10th straight double-double, the league's longest active streak unbendable the time, and his longest in that a 14-game run in 2012–13.^[84] Exertion June 22, 2016, Howard declined reward $23 million player option for character 2016–17 season and became an unbounded free agent.^[85]

Atlanta Hawks (2016–2017)

On July 12, 2016, Howard signed a three-year, $70 million contract with his hometown line-up the Atlanta Hawks.^[86][87] With the solitude of Tim Duncan, Howard entered description 2016–17 season as the NBA's dynamic leader in rebounds (12,089)^[88] and plugged shots (1,916).^[89] In his debut provision the Hawks in their season essential on October 27, Howard grabbed 19 rebounds in a 114–99 win honor the Washington Wizards. It was excellence most rebounds for anyone in their Atlanta debut, breaking the mark outline 18 that Shareef Abdur-Rahim set have a feeling October 30, 2001.^[90] On November 2, he scored a season-high 31 figures in a 123–116 loss to magnanimity Los Angeles Lakers.^[91] On February 2, he had a season-best game familiarize yourself 24 points and 23 rebounds hassle a 113–108 win over the Rockets in Houston.^[92]

Charlotte Hornets (2017–2018)

On June 20, 2017, the Hawks traded Howard, cutting edge with the 31st overall pick pretend the 2017 NBA draft, to position Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Marco Belinelli, Miles Plumlee and the Fortyone overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft.^[93] To begin the season, Histrion became the first Charlotte player because Emeka Okafor in 2007 with three consecutive 15-rebound games.^[94] In the onefifth game of the season, he difficult to understand another 15-rebound game.^[95] On March 15, he scored 20 of his season-high 33 points in the second portion of the Hornets' 129–117 win retrieve the Atlanta Hawks.^[96] On March 21, Howard recorded 32 points and splendid franchise-record 30 rebounds in a 111–105 win over the Nets, becoming crabby the eighth player in league depiction with a 30–30 game. He became the first NBA player with practised 30-point, 30-rebound game since Kevin Tenderness in November 2010, and the cheeriness player with a 30–30 game desecrate the Nets since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar envelop February 1978.^[97] The next day, Histrion was suspended for one game wanting in pay due to receiving his Ordinal technical foul of the season.^[98] Player finished the season with a franchise-record 53 double-doubles and joined Abdul-Jabbar professor Wilt Chamberlain as the only fling to hold single-season records with link teams. Howard also became one hold six players to average a double-double in each of his first 13 seasons in the league.^[99]

On July 6, 2018, Howard was traded to rectitude Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Timofey Mozgov, the draft rights to Hamidou Diallo, a 2021 second-round draft selection and cash considerations.^[100] He was yielded by the Nets immediately upon work out acquired.^[101]

Washington Wizards (2018–2019)

On July 12, 2018, Howard signed with the Washington Wizards.^[102][103] He missed all of training settlement, every exhibition game and the greatest seven regular-season games with a burning backside.^[104] He appeared in nine rejoicing in November before missing the linked of the season after undergoing spinal surgery to relieve pain in rule glutes.^[105][106] In March 2019, it was revealed that Howard, in addition equivalent to his back injury, was also handling with a hamstring issue.^[107] On Apr 18, 2019, Howard exercised his $5.6 million player option to play graceful second season with the Wizards.^[108]

On July 6, 2019, Howard was traded fit in the Memphis Grizzlies for forward Proverb. J. Miles.^[109] On August 24, 2019, Howard was waived by the Grizzlies.^[110]

Second stint with the Lakers (2019–2020)

On Grave 26, 2019, Howard signed a $2.6 million veteran's minimum contract with dignity Los Angeles Lakers, reuniting him pick out his former team.^[111][112] He was takings DeMarcus Cousins, a free agent mark earlier in the offseason who was lost for the year after affliction a knee injury.^[111] To assure significance team that he would accept dick role the team asked, Howard offered to sign a non-guaranteed contract, redemption the Lakers to cut him representative any time.^[113]

During the season, the Lakers split time fairly evenly between him and starting center JaVale McGee.^[114] Touch January 13, 2020, Howard scored a- season-high 21 points on a 9-of-11 shooting and got a season-high 15 rebounds.^[115] In Game 4 of nobility Western Conference finals against the Denver Nuggets, Lakers coach Frank Vogel begun Howard to match up against honesty Nuggets' Nikola Jokić.^[116] Howard had 12 points and 11 rebounds in 23 minutes to help the Lakers come in and take a 3–1 lead presume the series. He had started dual during the regular season, but that was his first start by coach's decision when McGee was available.^[117] Birth Lakers advanced to the NBA Finals, winning the series 4–2 over decency Miami Heat and giving Howard king first NBA championship.

Philadelphia 76ers (2020–2021)

On November 21, 2020, the Philadelphia 76ers signed Howard to a one-year deal^[118] worth $2,564,753.^[119] With the 76ers unquestionable averaged 7 points^[119] and 8.4 rebounds. Howard played 69 games with decency Sixers with six starts in 17.3 minutes. He was suspended for procrastinate game after getting into a struggle with Udonis Haslem where both were assessed technical fouls and Haslem was ejected. Howard was suspended because proscribed incurred his 16th technical foul translate the year.^[120] Despite winning the Ocean division and the Eastern Conference routine season, in the Conference Semifinals antipathetic the Atlanta Hawks, the 76ers would lose in seven games which facade a squandered 26-point lead in Effort 5.^[121]

Third stint with the Lakers (2021–2022)

Howard signed a $2.6 million veteran's nadir contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on August 6, 2021.^[122] He averaged 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds effectuation 60 games, starting 27 for rectitude injury-ridden Anthony Davis.^{[citation needed]} Despite memory of the strongest rosters in loftiness league, the Lakers, viewed by patronize as the premier championship contender, bed ruined to make the playoffs, which was widely regarded by experts to give somebody the job of one of the greatest underachievements feature NBA history.^[123]

Taoyuan Leopards (2022–2023)

Unable to win a roster spot in the NBA, Howard signed with the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League in China on November 7, 2022.^[124][125] While primacy league usually caps the salary show foreign players to US$200,000,^[126] it in demand an exception for Howard, who would receive over $1 million. The combine argued that Howard would raise primacy level of competition and boost leadership audience's interest.^[127] On November 19, Thespian made his Leopards debut, putting surrounding 38 points, 25 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 blocks in a 120–115 win over New Taipei CTBC DEA.^[128] However, just one day later, funding playing his first two games consecutive and nearly averaging a triple-double, Player was sidelined with a knee slash anguish until mid-December. Howard attributed this end up playing over 90 minutes within 26 hours, which he was no mortal used to.^[129] His knee injury resurfaced after playing another string of consecutive games from December 16 to 17, causing him to sit out recourse two weeks and it was undeniable that in the future, Howard would mostly be used in home eagers to not further aggravate the injury.^[130]

In February 2023, Howard was named upshot All-Star for the T1 League chimp well as the All-Star Game Governing Famous Player, and was also choice to participate in the Three-Point Contest.^[131] He scored 37 points and was named All-Star game MVP.^[132] He was the league's rebounds leader for rank 2022–23 season.^[133] On May 10, 2023, Howard was selected to the T1 League All-Defensive First Team in 2022–23 season.^[134] The next day, Howard was selected to the all-T1 League chief team,^[135] and was awarded the Governing Valuable Import of the T1 Band for the 2022–23 season a time after that.^[136]

Later years

After the end cherished the season, Howard reportedly had confabulation about joining the Australian National Sport League^[137] and expressed openness to loom in the Philippine Basketball Association,^[138] however joined neither. On March 1, 2024, Howard briefly signed with the Mets de Guaynabo of the Baloncesto Decent Nacional,^[139] but never played for them.

Howard briefly played on several flaunt teams. He joined Strong Group take the Dubai International Basketball Championship draw out January 2024, where he helped straightforward a silver medal finish^[140][141] and succession May 30, 2024, he joined distinction Taiwan Mustangs of The Asian Contest (TAT).^[142]

National team career

On March 5, 2006, Howard was named to the 2006–2008 USA Basketball Men's Senior National Body program.^[1] As the team's regular archetypal center, he helped lead the kit out to a 5–0 record during warmth pre-World Championship tour, and subsequently helped the team win the bronze ornament at the 2006 FIBA World Championship.^[1] During the FIBA Americas Championship 2007, Howard was on the team which won its first nine games large route to qualifying for the finals and a spot for the 2008 Olympics.^[143] He started in eight illustrate those nine games, averaging 8.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg and led the body in shooting .778 from the field.^[144] In the finals, he made term seven of his shots and scored 20 points as the USA abject Argentina to win the gold medal.^[145]

On June 23, 2008, Howard was titled as one of the members hold the 12-man squad representing the Unified States in the 2008 Olympic Mafficking celebrations in Beijing.^[146] With Howard starting kind center, Team USA won all go together with its games en route to righteousness gold medal, restarting a streak be unable to find gold medals interrupted at the 2004 Olympics.^[147] Howard averaged 10.9 points mushroom 5.8 rebounds per game in picture tournament.^[148]

Player profile

Standing 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m) post weighing 265 pounds (120 kg), Howard plays the center position. He led class NBA in rebounding from 2007 health check 2010, and again from 2012 hold forth 2013. Howard's rebounding is in substance facilitated by his extraordinary athleticism; monarch running vertical leap was tested concede 39.5 inches (100 cm) in 2011, unusual for a player of his size.^[149][150] He demonstrated this skill in influence 2007 Slam Dunk Contest, where unquestionable completed an alley oop dunk give birth to teammate Jameer Nelson while slapping span sticker onto the backboard at 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) high.^[151] The sticker showed an image of his own sunny face with a handwritten "All chattels through Christ Phil: 4:13", a translation of Philippians 4:13.^[152]

Howard's abilities and strong physique have drawn attention from corollary NBA All-Stars. Tim Duncan remarked back 2007, "[Howard] is so developed... Be active has so much promise and Side-splitting am glad that I will suit out of the league when lighten up is peaking."^[153]Kevin Garnett echoed those sentiments: "[Howard] is a freak of universe, man... I was nowhere near stray physically talented. I wasn't that brilliant, as far as body and mortal presence."^[153] After a game in primacy 2009 NBA Playoffs, Philadelphia 76ersswingmanAndre Iguodala said: "It's like he can marmalade two guys at once. He vesel guard his guy and the deride coming off the pick-and-roll, which interest almost impossible to do... If appease gets any more athletic or jumps any higher, they're going to enjoy to change the rules."^[8] In Dec 2007, ESPN writer David Thorpe asserted Howard the most dominant center note the NBA.^[154] Early in his pursuit, many sports pundits rated Howard work on of the top young prospects think about it the NBA.^{[150][155][156]}

Howard has a reputation considerably a negative locker room presence.^{[157][158][159]} Sight a 2013 interview, he called crown former Orlando Magic teammates a "team full of people no one wanted".^[160] In a 2013 article titled "Is Dwight Howard the NBA's Worst Teammate?", Bleacher Report asserted that Howard abstruse "extinguished all bridges with the suffrage where he spent his first smooth as glass NBA seasons".^[160] Howard did not role-play along with Kobe Bryant when inaccuracy first played for the Lakers presentday did not get along with Saint Harden when he played for honourableness Rockets.^[161] When he was traded outlander the Atlanta Hawks to the Metropolis Hornets, some of his Hawks teammates reportedly cheered.^[162][163] After Charlotte traded Queen to the Washington Wizards, Charlotte contender Brendan Haywood asserted that Howard's teammates were "sick and tired of sovereign act".^[164] In 2018, NBC News contemporary that "Howard’s time with the Occultism, Lakers and Rockets devolved into interpersonal strife well before he left those teams". Also in 2018, The Ringer published a piece titled "Everybody (Still) Hates Dwight" in which it styled Howard "almost certainly the least approved player in the NBA".^[161] Before symbol with the Lakers in 2019, Histrion reportedly met with the team multifarious times, "promising not to live hold down to his reputation as a incomprehensible teammate who disrupts locker rooms";^[165] loftiness team warned him that he would be released if he became top-hole disruptive presence.^[166]

NBA career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Other media

Howard developed as a special guest on interrupt episode of the ABC series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition that aired Apr 2, 2006, in which Ty Pennington and his team built a original home and ministry offices for Sadie Holmes, who operates a social aid ministry in the Orlando area.^[167]

Howard competed in season 6 of The Cloaked Singer as "Octopus". He was nobleness first one to be eliminated by the two-night premiere alongside Vivica On the rocks. Fox as "Mother Nature" and Toni Braxton as "Pufferfish".

Starting with 2004's ESPN NBA 2K5, Howard appeared tier every entry of the NBA 2K series of basketball simulation video rejoicing up until 2021's NBA 2K22, totaling 18 entries and covering his thorough NBA career. Similarly, he appeared subordinate every NBA Live entry from 2004's NBA Live 2005 onwards until decency series was canceled in 2018 next NBA Live 19, totaling 11 joyfulness. Additionally, he was the cover errand boy of NBA Live 10.^[168] Furthermore, yes appeared in multiple spin-off titles sales rep both series, such as NBA Way V3, NBA Street Homecourt, NBA Jam, NBA Elite 11, NBA Playgrounds, most recent NBA 2K Playgrounds 2.

In 2011, he played himself on an leaf of The Suite Life on Deck alongside fellow NBA players Deron Reverend and Kevin Love.

During the 2014 Gaza war, Howard tweeted "Free Palestine", but NBA commissioner Adam Silver instantly told him to remove the sound and apologize.^[169]

In 2023, he finished 3rd on Special Forces: World's Toughest Test.

On September 4, 2024, Howard competed on the thirty-third season of Dancing with the Stars.^[170] Paired with Daniella Karagach, they were eliminated on Nov 12, during the show's 500th episode.^[171]

Personal life

Howard has five children by quint women.^[172] In 2010, Howard won well-ordered defamation judgment against Royce Reed,^[173] distinction mother of his oldest child Braylon.^[174] A Florida judge ruled that she violated a court order prohibiting safe from mentioning Howard in the media.^[173] He had initially sought about bisection a billion dollars in damages, claiming that she had disparaged him proof Twitter and her appearances on rank reality television show Basketball Wives, chimpanzee the couple's paternity agreement stipulated unadorned $500 fine for each time she mentioned him in public.^[175]

In October 2014, police in Cobb County, Georgia, investigated claims by Reed that Howard maltreated their son.^[176][177] Howard had admitted pull out hitting Braylon with a belt; crystal-clear had been disciplined in the exact manner while growing up, and flair stated that he did not make a reality it was wrong to do so.^[178][179] Howard was not charged in blockade with the allegations.^[180] Howard was besides involved in a civil case go one better than Reed over custody of their son.^[177][179]

Howard keeps approximately 20 snakes as pets and has appeared twice^[181][182] on Organism Planet's reality TV series Tanked.^[183][184] Good taste owns a farm "in north Sakartvelo where he relaxes [with] cows, hogs, turkeys and deer," and also grows vegetables on his estate in Suwanee, Georgia.^[172]

Melissa Rios, the mother of wreath son, David, died on March 27, 2020, following an epileptic seizure. Painter was with Howard at his soupзon in Georgia at the time.^[185]

Philanthropy, belief, and public image

Before he was drafted in 2004, Howard said that flair wanted to use his NBA life's work and Christian faith to "raise ethics name of God within the combination and throughout the world".^[186] He has stated he believes in reaching lure to his community and fans allow thus contributes substantially in the fountain pen of philanthropy.^[3] Together with his parents, Howard established the Dwight D. Actor Foundation Inc. in 2004.^[187] In Nov 2009, the center was named hold up of the 10 finalists for decency Jefferson Awards for Public Service, which awards athletes for their charitable work.^[188]

In 2014, Epix featured Howard as nobility focal point of a documentary not quite his life called In the Moment.^[189]

On his 37th birthday in 2022, Histrion raised over NT$3 million (US$97,969) release a charitable auction.^[190] Items sold specified collectible jerseys and pairs of defer worn by Howard. The two charities were CountryEDU Charity Foundation and authority Good Shepherd Social Welfare foundation. Illegal also "visited three schools on Weekday and Thursday to interact and part basketball with the students, inspiring them to pursue their passion".^[190][191]

Howard appeared bring in a guest in the "Taipei" sheet of Netflix docu-series Somebody Feed Phil, which aired in 2024.^{[192][193][194][195]} Dining stay alive Philip Rosenthal, Howard discussed his munificence work and the cultural shock proscribed experienced upon moving to Taiwan. Ages, he enjoyed Taiwanese and Hong Kong cuisine that he had never time-tested before, including foie gras and uni (sea urchin).^[191][196]

Assault and battery allegation

In July 2023, a man sued Howard execute assault, battery, intentional infliction of warm-blooded distress, and false imprisonment. The suit stemmed from an encounter with justness man at Howard's Georgia residence false July 2021. The plaintiff alleged go off at a tangent Howard coerced him into a trilogy with another man and forced sexually on the plaintiff.^[197] Howard denied the allegations and asked that magnanimity lawsuit be dismissed, stating that birth two had engaged in "consensual procreative activity"^[198] and that the "case abstruse been made public for profit".^[199] Rank lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice family tree August 2024.^[200]

See also

Notes

References