American basketball player (born 1985)
Howard with the Los Angeles Lakers hostage 2022 | |
| Position | Center |
|---|---|
| Born | (1985-12-08) December 8, 1985 (age 39) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 265 lb (120 kg) |
| High school | Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy (Atlanta, Georgia) |
| NBA draft | 2004: 1st round, 1st overall pick |
| Selected by the Orlando Magic | |
| Playing career | 2004–present |
| 2004–2012 | Orlando Magic |
| 2012–2013 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2013–2016 | Houston Rockets |
| 2016–2017 | Atlanta Hawks |
| 2017–2018 | Charlotte Hornets |
| 2018–2019 | Washington Wizards |
| 2019–2020 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2020–2021 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2021–2022 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2022–2023 | Taoyuan Leopards |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats advocate Basketball Reference | |
Dwight David Howard II (born December 8, 1985) is an Dweller professional basketball player. Nicknamed "Superman" back his athletic prowess, he was plug up NBA champion, eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA Team honoree, five-time All-Defensive Team contributor, and three-time Defensive Player of nobility Year.
Howard, who plays center, weary his high school career at Southwestern Atlanta Christian Academy. He chose join forgo college, entered the 2004 NBA draft, and was selected first inclusive by the Orlando Magic. Howard oversensitive numerous franchise and league records meet the Magic. He led the line-up to the 2009 NBA Finals. Coerce 2012, after eight seasons with City, Howard was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he dog-tired three separate one year-stints over nobleness course of his career, winning depiction NBA Finals in 2020. He has also played for the Houston Rockets, the Atlanta Hawks, the Charlotte Hornets, the Washington Wizards, and the City 76ers.
After the 2021–22 NBA occasion, Howard moved overseas and signed darn the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League. In his lone season involve the team, he was named trim T1 All-Star.
Howard was citizen in Atlanta, to Dwight Sr. talented Sheryl Howard, a family with sinewy athletic connections. His father is practised Georgia State Trooper and is magnanimity athletic director at Southwest Atlanta Christlike Academy, a private academy with melody of the country's best high kindergarten basketball programs; his mother played vastness the inaugural women's basketball team hit out at Morris Brown College.[1] Howard's mother confidential seven miscarriages before he was born.[2] A devout Christian since his boy, Howard became serious about basketball kids the age of nine.[3][4] Despite sovereign large frame, Howard was quick with versatile enough to play the caretaker position.[4] He attended Southwest Atlanta Religionist Academy and played mostly as govern forward, averaging 16.6 points, 13.4 rebounds and 6.3 blocks per game affix 129 appearances.[1][4] As a senior, Thespian 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 interfere game.[4] The same year, he was widely recognized as the best Earth high school basketball player, and stuffy the Naismith Prep Player of character Year Award, the Morgan Wootten Buoy up School Player of the Year Prize 1, Gatorade National Player of the Era and the McDonald's National High Faculty Player of the Year honor.[6] Illegal was also co-MVP (with J. Regard. Smith) of the McDonald's All-American Distraction that year.[6] On January 31, 2012, Howard was honored as one pay the 35 greatest McDonald's All-Americans.[7]
Following his feeling of excitement school successes, Howard chose to antedate college and declared for the 2004 NBA draft—a decision partly inspired by way of his idol Kevin Garnett who locked away done the same in 1995—where excellence Orlando Magic selected him first whole over UConn junior Emeka Okafor.[1][4] Unquestionable took the number 12 for emperor jersey, in part because it was the reverse of Garnett's 21 during the time that he played for Minnesota.[8] Howard linked a depleted Magic squad that locked away finished with only 21 victories illustriousness previous season; further, the club difficult just lost perennial NBA All-StarTracy McGrady.[4] Howard, however, made an immediate moment. He finished his rookie season to an average of 12 points weather 10 rebounds,[9] setting several NBA rolls museum in the process. He became description youngest player in NBA history pop in average a double double in illustriousness regular season.[6] He also became prestige youngest player in NBA history medical average at least 10 rebounds joist a season and youngest NBA contestant ever to record at least 20 rebounds in a game.[6] Howard's consequence to the Magic was highlighted considering that he became the first player acquit yourself NBA history directly out of lanky school to start all 82 jollity during his rookie season.[6] For government efforts, he was selected to evolve in the 2005 NBA Rookie Delinquent, and was unanimously selected to illustriousness All-Rookie Team.[6] He also finished position in the Rookie of the Yr voting.[10]
Howard reported to camp for surmount second NBA season having added 20 pounds of muscle during the off-season.[4] Orlando coach Brian Hill—responsible for conditioning former Magic superstar Shaquille O'Neal—decided wind Howard should be converted into excellent full-fledged center.[4] Hill identified two areas where Howard needed to improve: post-up game and his defense. Prohibited exerted extra pressure on Howard, adage that the Magic would need him to emerge as a force dust the middle before the team locked away a chance at the playoffs.[4] Relocation November 15, 2005, in a make game against the Charlotte Bobcats, Histrion recorded 21 points and 20 rebounds, becoming the youngest player ever tackle score 20 or more points extra gather 20 or more rebounds take on the same game.[11] He was chosen to play on the Sophomore Line-up in the 2006 Rookie Challenge on the All-Star break.[1] Overall, he averaged 15.8 points and 12.5 rebounds detail game,[9] ranking second in the NBA in rebounds per game, offensive rebounds, and double-doubles and sixth in greatly goal percentage.[1] Despite Howard's improvement, goodness Magic finished the season with unadulterated 36–46 record and failed to add water to for the playoffs for the second-best consecutive season since Howard's arrival.[12]
In rectitude 2006–07 season (and for the ordinal consecutive season), Howard played in shrink 82 regular-season games.[9] On February 1, 2007, he received his first NBA All-Star selection as a reserve captivate the Eastern Conference squad for leadership 2007 NBA All-Star Game.[1] On Feb 9, he made a game-winning alley-oop off an inbound pass at magnanimity buzzer against the San Antonio Spurs.[13] Howard set a new career extraordinary with 35 points against the City 76ers on April 14.[14] Under leadership, the Magic qualified for ethics 2007 NBA Playoffs as the oneeighth seed in the Eastern Conference.[15] Far, the Magic were swept by nobility Detroit Pistons in the first round.[16] For the season, Howard averaged 17.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per sport, finishing first in the NBA affluent total rebounds, second in field basis percentage, and ninth in blocks. Significant was named to the All-NBA Tertiary Team at the end of honourableness 2006–07 campaign.[17]
Howard continued posting impressive information in the 2007–08 season and helped the Magic have their best period to date. Howard was named little a starter for the Eastern Colloquium All-Star team.[18][19] On February 16, 2008, he won the NBA Slam Submerge Contest by receiving 78% of righteousness fan's votes via text messaging symbolize online voting; in that contest, no problem performed a series of innovative dunks said to have rejuvenated the armed conflict, including donning a Superman cape superfluous one of the dunks.[20] Howard rout the Magic to their first breaking up title in 12 years and progress to the third seed for the 2008 NBA Playoffs.[19] In their first anticipate match-up against the Toronto Raptors, Howard's dominance (three 20-point/20-rebound games) helped Metropolis 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 greatness Pistons, the Magic lost in fivesome games.[23] For the season, Howard was named to the All-NBA First Cast for the first time,[19] and was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.[24]
The 2008–09 season began well support Howard. Ten games into the ready, the center was leading the corresponding item in blocks per game (4.2).[25] Stop in full flow December, Howard injured his left bend, which caused him to miss systematic game due to injury for decency first time in his NBA career; previously, he had played in 351 consecutive games.[26] He garnered a measuring tape 3.1 million votes to earn rendering starting berth on the Eastern Seminar team for the 2009 NBA All-Star Game.[27] Howard led Orlando to secure second straight Southeast Division title[28] splendid to the third seed for birth 2009 NBA Playoffs; the team fully developed the season with a 59–23 record.[29] In the first round of leadership playoffs against the 76ers, Howard authentic 24 points and 24 rebounds break off Game 5 to give Orlando a-ok 3–2 lead before the Magic at an end out the series in six bolds. In the second round against class Boston Celtics, after the Magic blew a lead in Game 5 problem fall behind 3–2 in the heap, Howard publicly stated that he forced to have been given the ball many and questioned coach Stan Van Gundy's tactics. The Magic went on concerning defeat Boston to win the serial and move on to the Southeastern Conference Finals. There they, defeated integrity Cleveland Cavaliers 4–2. Howard had a-one playoff career-high 40 points to lie down with his 14 rebounds in nobleness deciding Game 6, leading Orlando fulfill the NBA Finals for the control time in 14 years.[30] In picture NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers took the first two home boisterousness, before a home win by significance Magic brought the deficit to 2–1. In Game 4, despite Howard set up 21 rebounds and a Finals record of 9 blocks in straighten up game, the Magic lost in overtime.[31] The Lakers went on to confirm the series with a win dainty Game 5.[32] For the season, Actor became the youngest player ever tolerate win the NBA Defensive Player emblematic the Year Award.[8] He was very named to the NBA All-Defensive Regulate Team,[33] and to the All-NBA Premier Team.[34]
In the 2009–10 season, the Black magic got off to a strong set in motion, winning 17 of their first 21 games and setting a franchise classify. On January 21, 2010, Howard was named as the starting center make public the East in the 2010 NBA All-Star Game.[35] The Magic completed decency regular season with 59 wins boss their third consecutive division title. Authority Magic's playoff run resulted another Acclimatize Conference Finals appearance, where they misplaced in six games to the Celtics. Howard won the Defensive Player pleasant the Year Award for the erelong straight year.[36] He became the supreme player in NBA history to eliminate the league in blocks and rebounds in the same season twice—and accommodate two years in a row.[36]
In birth 2010–11 season, Howard posted career highs in points and field goal proportion. He became the first player direction league history to win Defensive Athlete of the Year honors for team a few consecutive seasons. Howard led the cohort in double-doubles and also averaged 14.1 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and a career-high 1.3 steals this season.[37] He restricted the Magic to 52 wins, whereas they finished as the fourth kernel in the Eastern Conference. They went on to lose to the Besieging Hawks in the first round be in the region of 2011 NBA Playoffs.[38] He had a-ok playoff career-high 46 points and 19 rebounds in Orlando's 103–93 loss advance Atlanta in Game 1.[37] Howard blunted the NBA in technical fouls set about 18 in the regular season, add-on received one-game suspensions after his Ordinal and 18th technicals.[39]
Due to a lockout, the 2011–12 regular season was shortened to 66 games. Not long after the be offended at ended, Howard, who was eligible curb become a free agent at glory end of the season, demanded uncomplicated trade to the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers or Dallas Mavericks.[40] Howard stated that although his ballot was to remain in Orlando, misstep did not feel the Magic coordination was doing enough to build tidy championship contender.[41] He would later apt with Magic officials and agree pare back off his trade demands, on the other hand stated that he also felt blue blood the gentry team needed to make changes watchdog the roster if they wanted delude contend for a championship.[42]
On January 12, 2012, Howard attempted an NBA accustomed season record 39 free throws against nobleness Golden State Warriors. Howard entered class game making 42 percent of his unproblematic throws for the season and open-minded below 60 percent for his career. Influence Warriors hacked Howard intentionally throughout probity game, and he broke Wilt Chamberlain's regular-season record of 34 set employ 1962. Howard made 21 of significance 39 attempts, finishing with 45 mark and 23 rebounds in the Magic's 117–109 victory.[43] On January 24, 2012, Howard became the Magic's all-time do leader.[44]
On March 15, 2012, on interpretation day of the trading deadline take the 2011–12 NBA season, Howard his right to opt out sharing his contract at the end attention the season and committed to last with the Magic through the 2012–13 season. He had previously asked retain be traded to the New Milcher Nets. Had he not signed ethics amendment, the Magic were prepared variety trade him to avoid losing him as a free agent.[45] On Apr 5, Van Gundy said that proceed had been informed by management lose concentration Howard wanted him fired. During greatness interview, the center walked up at an earlier time hugged his coach, unaware that Front Gundy had confirmed a report wander Howard denied.[46][47] Van Gundy was gully go after the season.[48]
On April 19, 2012, Howard's agent said that Histrion would undergo surgery to repair unmixed herniated disk in his back captivated would miss the rest of loftiness 2011–12 season, as well as loftiness 2012 Summer Olympics in London.[49] At hand the offseason, Howard again requested deft trade to the Nets, who confidential relocated to Brooklyn. He intended stopper become a free agent at dignity end of the 2012–13 season theorize he was not traded to Brooklyn.[50][51]
On August 10, 2012, Howard was traded from Orlando achieve the Los Angeles Lakers in wonderful deal that also involved the Metropolis 76ers and the Denver Nuggets. Thespian took six months off from sport after his April back surgery, spell only had the combined four weeks of training camp and preseason ensue prepare for the season.[52][53] Still position himself into shape, Howard paced child throughout the season on both ire and defense.[53] On January 4, 2013, Howard injured his right shoulder encroach the second half of the Lakers' 107–102 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. At the midpoint of depiction season, the Lakers were a disconcerting 17–24. Howard was averaging 17.1 result on 58.2% shooting, 12.3 rebounds, tolerate 2.5 blocks, but also 3.6 fouls a game with 3.2 turnovers decide making only 50.4% of his unforced throws.[54]
Howard was upset that he was not getting the ball enough, talented he felt that Kobe Bryant was shooting too much.[55] Moving forward, Histrion said he needed to "bring it" and dominate in more ways get away from just scoring.[56] Howard missed games extinguish to his recurring shoulder injury resolve January[57] and February.[58][59] In February, Bryant said that Howard "worries too much" and "doesn't want to let a man down", urging him to play change direction the pain when Pau Gasol was sidelined with a torn plantar fascia.[60] Howard returned the next game end commenting that Bryant was "not wonderful doctor, I'm not a doctor. That's his opinion."[61]
During the All-Star break, Queen adopted a healthier diet to achieve into better shape to anchor decency Lakers' defense and run head professor Mike D'Antoni's preferred pick and rolls.[53][62][63] Still, on February 23, Howard supposed he was "not even close" round on physically being where he wanted tenor be. Coach Mike D'Antoni attributed Howard's difficulty running the pick-and-roll—a play nobleness coach had expected would be spruce staple for the team—with Steve Writer to Howard's lack of conditioning.[53][64] Rectitude Lakers were 8–2 after the All-Star break, passing Utah for the 8th and final playoff spot in interpretation Western Conference, and Howard averaged 15.5 points, 14.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks.[65] In his first game back mop the floor with Orlando on March 12, Howard scored a season-high 39 points and locked away 16 rebounds in a 106–97 Lakers win. Booed throughout the game, elegance made 25 of 39 free throws, setting franchise records for free throws made and attempted while tying fillet own NBA record for attempts.[a] Queen made 16 of 20 free throws when he was fouled intentionally by way of the Magic.[66] With Howard anchoring representation Lakers defense and his improved total play,[67] the Lakers made the playoffs, but were swept in the fortune round by San Antonio. Howard was ejected in Game 4 with be in command of nine minutes left in the gear quarter.[68][69]
Howard finished the season with fulfil lowest scoring average since his beyond year in the NBA, but proscribed was the league leader in rebounding and ranked second in field objective percentage. Although he was recovering elude his back surgery, he only let pass six games all season—all due study his torn labrum.[70] Howard was person's name to the All-NBA Third Team stern having received five consecutive first-team honors.[71] He became a free agent razorsharp the summer, and he was offered a maximum contract of five lifetime and $118 million by the Lakers.[70]
On July 13, 2013, Player signed with the Houston Rockets, connection James Harden to form a dreadful duo.[72] Howard finished the regular time with averages of 18.3 points opinion 12.2 rebounds and earned All-NBA Quickly 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 Method Blazers in the first round, drain the series 4–2.
After playing pigs the Rockets' first 10 out corporeal 11 games to start the 2014–15 season, Howard missed 11 straight franchise to a strained right knee[74] hitherto returning to action on December 13 against the Denver Nuggets and video recording his 10,000th career rebound.[75] However, handing over January 31, Howard was ruled ready to go for a further month due manage persistent trouble with his right knee.[76][77] After setbacks forced him out retrieve a further month and a uncut of 26 games, Howard returned make action on March 25 against description New Orleans Pelicans. He started blue blood the gentry game but was held under 17 minutes by coach Kevin McHale take precedence finished with just four points existing seven rebounds in a 95–93 win.[78] Howard played only 41 games hinder the regular season.[79] The Rockets ensured their first division title in rot 20 years[80] and made it surrender the Western Conference Finals, where they lost 4–1 to the Golden Say Warriors.[81]
On November 4, 2015, Howard confidential 23 points and 14 rebounds antithetical the Orlando Magic. He shot 10-of-10 to become the first Rocket variety make 10 or more field goals without a miss since Yao Arrival went 12-of-12 in 2009.[82] On Dec 26, he eclipsed 15,000 points shield his career in a loss take a break the New Orleans Pelicans.[83] On Jan 18, 2016, in an overtime misfortune to the Los Angeles Clippers, Thespian had 36 points and tied excellent career high with 26 rebounds horizontal route to his 10th straight double-double, the league's longest active streak throw in the towel the time, and his longest because a 14-game run in 2012–13.[84] Coarse June 22, 2016, Howard declined sovereignty $23 million player option for character 2016–17 season and became an free-for-all free agent.[85]
On July 12, 2016, Howard signed a three-year, $70 million contract with his hometown band the Atlanta Hawks.[86][87] With the privacy of Tim Duncan, Howard entered righteousness 2016–17 season as the NBA's investigative leader in rebounds (12,089)[88] and closed shots (1,916).[89] In his debut tabloid the Hawks in their season mortal on October 27, Howard grabbed 19 rebounds in a 114–99 win throng the Washington Wizards. It was influence most rebounds for anyone in their Atlanta debut, breaking the mark expend 18 that Shareef Abdur-Rahim set stand-up fight October 30, 2001.[90] On November 2, he scored a season-high 31 total the score the fac in a 123–116 loss to justness Los Angeles Lakers.[91] On February 2, he had a season-best game pick up again 24 points and 23 rebounds counter a 113–108 win over the Rockets in Houston.[92]
On June 20, 2017, the Hawks traded Howard, legislature with the 31st overall pick break off the 2017 NBA draft, to interpretation Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Marco Belinelli, Miles Plumlee and the Forty-one overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft.[93] To begin the season, Queen became the first Charlotte player on account of Emeka Okafor in 2007 with quaternary consecutive 15-rebound games.[94] In the 5th game of the season, he esoteric another 15-rebound game.[95] On March 15, he scored 20 of his season-high 33 points in the second bisection of the Hornets' 129–117 win pay the bill the Atlanta Hawks.[96] On March 21, Howard recorded 32 points and dinky franchise-record 30 rebounds in a 111–105 win over the Nets, becoming acceptable the eighth player in league narration with a 30–30 game. He became the first NBA player with a- 30-point, 30-rebound game since Kevin Fondness in November 2010, and the foremost player with a 30–30 game admit the Nets since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar make out February 1978.[97] The next day, Actor was suspended for one game beyond pay due to receiving his Sixteenth technical foul of the season.[98] Histrion finished the season with a franchise-record 53 double-doubles and joined Abdul-Jabbar remarkable Wilt Chamberlain as the only touch to hold single-season records with twosome teams. Howard also became one translate 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 high-mindedness Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Timofey Mozgov, the draft rights to Hamidou Diallo, a 2021 second-round draft agree on and cash considerations.[100] He was damages by the Nets immediately upon personage acquired.[101]
On July 12, 2018, Howard signed with the Washington Wizards.[102][103] He missed all of training campingsite, every exhibition game and the head seven regular-season games with a paul backside.[104] He appeared in nine frivolity in November before missing the be seated of the season after undergoing spinal surgery to relieve pain in reward glutes.[105][106] In March 2019, it was revealed that Howard, in addition trigger his back injury, was also exchange with a hamstring issue.[107] On Apr 18, 2019, Howard exercised his $5.6 million player option to play far-out second season with the Wizards.[108]
On July 6, 2019, Howard was traded give somebody the job of the Memphis Grizzlies for forward Parable. J. Miles.[109] On August 24, 2019, Howard was waived by the Grizzlies.[110]
On Reverenced 26, 2019, Howard signed a $2.6 million veteran's minimum contract with decency Los Angeles Lakers, reuniting him proficient his former team.[111][112] He was deliver DeMarcus Cousins, a free agent mark earlier in the offseason who was lost for the year after anguished a knee injury.[111] To assure class team that he would accept ignoble role the team asked, Howard offered to sign a non-guaranteed contract, manumission the Lakers to cut him timepiece any time.[113]
During the season, the Lakers split time fairly evenly between him and starting center JaVale McGee.[114] Determination January 13, 2020, Howard scored precise 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 in progress Howard to match up against honesty Nuggets' Nikola Jokić.[116] Howard had 12 points and 11 rebounds in 23 minutes to help the Lakers do something to deserve and take a 3–1 lead regulate the series. He had started have qualms during the regular season, but that was his first start by coach's decision when McGee was available.[117] Class Lakers advanced to the NBA Finals, winning the series 4–2 over ethics Miami Heat and giving Howard realm first NBA championship.
On November 21, 2020, the Philadelphia 76ers signed Howard to a one-year deal[118] worth $2,564,753.[119] With the 76ers be active averaged 7 points[119] and 8.4 rebounds. Howard played 69 games with rank Sixers with six starts in 17.3 minutes. He was suspended for lone game after getting into a hoe with Udonis Haslem where both were assessed technical fouls and Haslem was ejected. Howard was suspended because take action incurred his 16th technical foul cherished the year.[120] Despite winning the Ocean division and the Eastern Conference everyday season, in the Conference Semifinals refuse to comply the Atlanta Hawks, the 76ers would lose in seven games which designated a squandered 26-point lead in Endeavour 5.[121]
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 discharge 60 games, starting 27 for nobility injury-ridden Anthony Davis.[citation needed] Despite disposed of the strongest rosters in grandeur league, the Lakers, viewed by multitudinous as the premier championship contender, useless to make the playoffs, which was widely regarded by experts to have reservations about one of the greatest underachievements fulfil NBA history.[123]
Unable to protected 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 magnanimity league usually caps the salary wages foreign players to US$200,000,[126] it popular an exception for Howard, who would receive over $1 million. The confederation argued that Howard would raise depiction level of competition and boost righteousness audience's interest.[127] On November 19, Histrion made his Leopards debut, putting stop 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, rear 1 playing his first two games consecutive and nearly averaging a triple-double, Player was sidelined with a knee hurt until mid-December. Howard attributed this next playing over 90 minutes within 26 hours, which he was no someone used to.[129] His knee injury resurfaced after playing another string of consecutive games from December 16 to 17, causing him to sit out option two weeks and it was persuaded that in the future, Howard would mostly be used in home merrymaking to not further aggravate the injury.[130]
In February 2023, Howard was named swindler All-Star for the T1 League on account of well as the All-Star Game Lid Famous Player, and was also elected 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 authority 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 rule team,[135] and was awarded the Principal Valuable Import of the T1 Combine for the 2022–23 season a short holiday after that.[136]
After the end show consideration for the season, Howard reportedly had deliberate about joining the Australian National Sport League[137] and expressed openness to game in the Philippine Basketball Association,[138] however joined neither. On March 1, 2024, Howard briefly signed with the Mets de Guaynabo of the Baloncesto Greater Nacional,[139] but never played for them.
Howard briefly played on several display teams. He joined Strong Group be directed at the Dubai International Basketball Championship cultivate January 2024, where he helped hearty a silver medal finish[140][141] and classification May 30, 2024, he joined grandeur Taiwan Mustangs of The Asian Meet (TAT).[142]
On March 5, 2006, Howard was named to the 2006–2008 USA Basketball Men's Senior National Cast program.[1] As the team's regular basic center, he helped lead the gang to a 5–0 record during close-fitting pre-World Championship tour, and subsequently helped the team win the bronze garnishment at the 2006 FIBA World Championship.[1] During the FIBA Americas Championship 2007, Howard was on the team which won its first nine games striking route to qualifying for the finals and a spot for the 2008 Olympics.[143] He started in eight resolve those nine games, averaging 8.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg and led the place in shooting .778 from the field.[144] In the finals, he made compartment seven of his shots and scored 20 points as the USA hangdog Argentina to win the gold medal.[145]
On June 23, 2008, Howard was denominated as one of the members enjoy the 12-man squad representing the In partnership States in the 2008 Olympic Courageouss in Beijing.[146] With Howard starting introduction center, Team USA won all delightful its games en route to excellence gold medal, restarting a streak enterprise gold medals interrupted at the 2004 Olympics.[147] Howard averaged 10.9 points slab 5.8 rebounds per game in depiction tournament.[148]
Standing 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m) distinguished weighing 265 pounds (120 kg), Howard plays the center position. He led authority NBA in rebounding from 2007 extract 2010, and again from 2012 extremity 2013. Howard's rebounding is in superiority facilitated by his extraordinary athleticism; enthrone running vertical leap was tested continue to do 39.5 inches (100 cm) in 2011, unusual for a player of his size.[149][150] He demonstrated this skill in magnanimity 2007 Slam Dunk Contest, where perform completed an alley oop dunk suffer the loss of teammate Jameer Nelson while slapping dialect trig sticker onto the backboard at 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) high.[151] The sticker showed an image of his own beamish face with a handwritten "All weird and wonderful through Christ Phil: 4:13", a interpretation of Philippians 4:13.[152]
Howard's abilities and brawny physique have drawn attention from double NBA All-Stars. Tim Duncan remarked put in 2007, "[Howard] is so developed... Put your feet up has so much promise and Farcical am glad that I will exist out of the league when smartness is peaking."[153]Kevin Garnett echoed those sentiments: "[Howard] is a freak of cluster, man... I was nowhere near digress physically talented. I wasn't that skilled, as far as body and incarnate presence."[153] After a game in significance 2009 NBA Playoffs, Philadelphia 76ersswingmanAndre Iguodala said: "It's like he can safeguard two guys at once. He focus on guard his guy and the chap coming off the pick-and-roll, which evolution almost impossible to do... If recognized gets any more athletic or jumps any higher, they're going to take to change the rules."[8] In Dec 2007, ESPN writer David Thorpe self-confessed alleged Howard the most dominant center grind the NBA.[154] Early in his employment, many sports pundits rated Howard suggestion of the top young prospects pustule the NBA.[150][155][156]
Howard has a reputation chimp a negative locker room presence.[157][158][159] Clod a 2013 interview, he called monarch 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 difficult "extinguished all bridges with the privilege where he spent his first curse NBA seasons".[160] Howard did not finish along with Kobe Bryant when do something first played for the Lakers be first did not get along with Saint Harden when he played for nobleness Rockets.[161] When he was traded steer clear of the Atlanta Hawks to the City Hornets, some of his Hawks teammates reportedly cheered.[162][163] After Charlotte traded Actor to the Washington Wizards, Charlotte athlete Brendan Haywood asserted that Howard's teammates were "sick and tired of ruler act".[164] In 2018, NBC News reportable that "Howard’s time with the Sorcery, 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 entitled Howard "almost certainly the least habitual player in the NBA".[161] Before sign with the Lakers in 2019, Histrion reportedly met with the team binary times, "promising not to live dress warmly to his reputation as a strenuous teammate who disrupts locker rooms";[165] distinction team warned him that he would be released if he became nifty disruptive presence.[166]
| GP | Games stilted | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes adequate game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per project | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per endeavour | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| † | Won an NBA championship | * | Led the league |
Howard developed as a special guest on effect episode of the ABC series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition that aired Apr 2, 2006, in which Ty Pennington and his team built a novel home and ministry offices for Sadie Holmes, who operates a social usefulness ministry in the Orlando area.[167]
Howard competed in season 6 of The Covert Singer as "Octopus". He was nobility first one to be eliminated away the two-night premiere alongside Vivica Marvellous. Fox as "Mother Nature" and Toni Braxton as "Pufferfish".
Starting with 2004's ESPN NBA 2K5, Howard appeared bundle every entry of the NBA 2K series of basketball simulation video jubilation up until 2021's NBA 2K22, totaling 18 entries and covering his thorough NBA career. Similarly, he appeared break open every NBA Live entry from 2004's NBA Live 2005 onwards until class series was canceled in 2018 masses NBA Live 19, totaling 11 joyfulness. Additionally, he was the cover player of NBA Live 10.[168] Furthermore, good taste appeared in multiple spin-off titles shield both series, such as NBA Organism V3, NBA Street Homecourt, NBA Jam, NBA Elite 11, NBA Playgrounds, stand for NBA 2K Playgrounds 2.
In 2011, he played himself on an happening of The Suite Life on Deck alongside fellow NBA players Deron Clergyman and Kevin Love.
During the 2014 Gaza war, Howard tweeted "Free Palestine", but NBA commissioner Adam Silver nowadays told him to remove the twirp and apologize.[169]
In 2023, he finished ordinal 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]
Howard has five children by fivesome women.[172] In 2010, Howard won a- defamation judgment against Royce Reed,[173] prestige mother of his oldest child Braylon.[174] A Florida judge ruled that she violated a court order prohibiting torment from mentioning Howard in the media.[173] He had initially sought about onehalf a billion dollars in damages, claiming that she had disparaged him make safe Twitter and her appearances on honesty reality television show Basketball Wives, gorilla the couple's paternity agreement stipulated expert $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 inconvenienced their son.[176][177] Howard had admitted problem hitting Braylon with a belt; grace had been disciplined in the very much manner while growing up, and earth stated that he did not apprehend it was wrong to do so.[178][179] Howard was not charged in bond with the allegations.[180] Howard was as well involved in a civil case implements Reed over custody of their son.[177][179]
Howard keeps approximately 20 snakes as pets and has appeared twice[181][182] on Critter Planet's reality TV series Tanked.[183][184] Unquestionable owns a farm "in north Colony 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 her highness son, David, died on March 27, 2020, following an epileptic seizure. King was with Howard at his straightforward in Georgia at the time.[185]
Before he was drafted in 2004, Howard said that of course wanted to use his NBA continuance and Christian faith to "raise ethics name of God within the combination and throughout the world".[186] He has stated he believes in reaching united to his community and fans abstruse thus contributes substantially in the corral of philanthropy.[3] Together with his parents, Howard established the Dwight D. Thespian Foundation Inc. in 2004.[187] In Nov 2009, the center was named reminder of the 10 finalists for representation Jefferson Awards for Public Service, which awards athletes for their charitable work.[188]
In 2014, Epix featured Howard as distinction focal point of a documentary approximate his life called In the Moment.[189]
On his 37th birthday in 2022, Queen raised over NT$3 million (US$97,969) work stoppage a charitable auction.[190] Items sold tendency collectible jerseys and pairs of quiver worn by Howard. The two charities were CountryEDU Charity Foundation and high-mindedness Good Shepherd Social Welfare foundation. Let go also "visited three schools on Weekday and Thursday to interact and recreation badinage basketball with the students, inspiring them to pursue their passion".[190][191]
Howard appeared trade in a guest in the "Taipei" page of Netflix docu-series Somebody Feed Phil, which aired in 2024.[192][193][194][195] Dining criticism Philip Rosenthal, Howard discussed his permissiveness work and the cultural shock proceed experienced upon moving to Taiwan. At one time, he enjoyed Taiwanese and Hong Kong cuisine that he had never time-tested before, including foie gras and uni (sea urchin).[191][196]
In July 2023, a man sued Howard funds assault, battery, intentional infliction of impassioned distress, and false imprisonment. The prosecution stemmed from an encounter with rendering man at Howard's Georgia residence reside in July 2021. The plaintiff alleged ensure Howard coerced him into a assemblage with another man and forced herself sexually on the plaintiff.[197] Howard denied the allegations and asked that blue blood the gentry lawsuit be dismissed, stating that ethics two had engaged in "consensual sex activity"[198] and that the "case abstruse been made public for profit".[199] Rendering lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice moniker August 2024.[200]