Dwight Howard facts for kids

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Dwight Howard

Howard with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022

Center / power forward

Personal information

Born

December 8, 1985 (age 39)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

High school

Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy
(Atlanta, Georgia)

Listed height

6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)

Listed weight

265 lb (120 kg)

Career information

NBA Draft

2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall

Selected by the Orlando Magic

Pro career

2004–2023

Career history

2004–2012

2012–2013

2013–2016

2016–2017

2017–2018

2018–2019

2019–2020

Los Angeles Lakers

2020–2021

Philadelphia 76ers

2021–2022

Los Angeles Lakers

2022–2023

Taoyuan Leopards

Career highlights and awards

NBA champion (2020)
8× NBA All-Star (2007–2014)
5× All-NBA First Team (2008–2012)
All-NBA Second Team (2014)
2× All-NBA Third Team (2007, 2013)
3× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2009–2011)
4× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2009–2012)
NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2008)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (2005)
5× NBA rebounding leader (2008–2010, 2012, 2013)
2× NBA blocks leader (2009, 2010)
NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (2008)
T1 League Most Valuable Import (2023)
All-T1 League First Team (2023)
T1 League All-Defensive First Team (2023)
T1 League rebounds leader (2023)
T1 League All-Star (2023)
T1 League All-Star Game Most Famous Player (2023)
T1 League All-Star Game MVP (2023)
Naismith Prep Player of the Year (2004)
McDonald's All-American Game Co-MVP (2004)
First-team Parade All-American (2004)
Mr. Georgia Basketball (2004)

Career NBA statistics

Points

19,485 (15.7 ppg)

Rebounds

14,627 (11.8 rpg)

Blocks

2,228 (1.8 bpg)

Medals

Men's basketball

Representing the United States
Olympic Games
Gold	2008 Beijing	Team competition
FIBA World Championship
Bronze	2006 Japan	Team competition
FIBA Americas Championship
Gold	2007 Las Vegas	Team competition

Dwight David Howard II (born December 8, 1985) is an American professional basketball player. He earned the nickname "Superman" because of his amazing athletic skills. Howard is an NBA champion, an eight-time All-Star, and a three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

Howard played the center position and was so good in high school that he skipped college to join the pros. He was the first overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft, chosen by the Orlando Magic. He led the Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals.

Later, Howard played for the Los Angeles Lakers three different times and won an NBA championship with them in 2020. He also played for several other teams, including the Houston Rockets and the Atlanta Hawks. In 2022, he played for the Taoyuan Leopards in Taiwan and was named an All-Star there.

Early Life and High School Stardom
Professional Basketball Career
National Team Career
Player Profile
Personal Life
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and High School Stardom

Howard was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to a very athletic family. His father was the athletic director at a top high school, and his mother played college basketball. Howard started taking basketball seriously when he was nine years old.

He attended Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, where he was a star player. As a senior, he led his team to a state championship. He averaged an incredible 25 points, 18 rebounds, and 8.1 blocks per game.

Howard won many awards and was seen as the best high school basketball player in the country. He was named co-MVP of the McDonald's All-American Game, a game for the best high school players.

Professional Basketball Career

Orlando Magic (2004–2012)

Becoming a Star

Instead of going to college, Howard entered the 2004 NBA draft. The Orlando Magic picked him first overall. He immediately made a big impact. In his first year, he became the youngest player in NBA history to average a double-double (at least 10 points and 10 rebounds per game). He was also the first player to come straight from high school and start all 82 games of the season.

By his second season, Howard had gained 20 pounds of muscle and was a powerful center. He continued to improve, and in the 2006–07 season, he was selected for his first NBA All-Star Game. He led the Magic to the 2007 NBA Playoffs.

The "Superman" Years

Howard and Jameer Nelson in 2008

During the 2007–08 season, Howard became a superstar. He won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest by performing amazing dunks, including one where he wore a Superman cape. This earned him his famous nickname. He led the Magic to a division title and was named to the All-NBA First Team for the first time.

In the 2008–09 season, Howard led the Magic all the way to the 2009 NBA Finals. Although they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers, Howard had an amazing season. He had a 40-point game in the playoffs and set a Finals record with 9 blocks in one game. He also won his first NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Howard won the Defensive Player of the Year award for three years in a row (2009, 2010, 2011). He was the first player in NBA history to do this. He led the league in both rebounds and blocks for two straight seasons.

Final Season in Orlando

Dwight Howard with the Magic in 2011

In his last season with the Magic, Howard continued to be a dominant player. In one game, he attempted a record 39 free throws. However, he began to have disagreements with the team's management. After the season, he had surgery on his back and requested a trade.

Los Angeles Lakers (2012–2013)

Howard with the Lakers in 2013

In 2012, Howard was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. He joined a team with other stars like Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash. However, Howard was still recovering from his back surgery and had trouble fitting in with the team's style of play.

The Lakers had a difficult season and were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round. Howard led the league in rebounding but left the team as a free agent after just one year.

Houston Rockets (2013–2016)

Howard with the Rockets in 2014, alongside teammate Chandler Parsons

Howard signed with the Houston Rockets in 2013, teaming up with star guard James Harden. In his first season, he averaged 18.3 points and 12.2 rebounds. The Rockets made the playoffs but lost in the first round.

Howard's time in Houston was affected by injuries. In the 2014–15 season, he missed many games with a knee injury. Still, he helped the Rockets reach the Western Conference Finals, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors. After three seasons, he left Houston.

A Journey Through Several Teams (2016–2019)

Howard with the Hawks in 2017

Over the next few years, Howard played for several different teams.

Atlanta Hawks (2016–2017): He signed with his hometown team and had a solid season, averaging 13.5 points and 12.7 rebounds.
Charlotte Hornets (2017–2018): In Charlotte, Howard had a fantastic season. He set a team record with 53 double-doubles. In one amazing game, he scored 32 points and grabbed a franchise-record 30 rebounds.
Washington Wizards (2018–2019): His time in Washington was cut short by a back injury, and he only played nine games.

Return to the Lakers and an NBA Championship (2019–2020)

In 2019, Howard returned to the Los Angeles Lakers for a second time. He accepted a smaller role on the team, coming off the bench as a backup center. He focused on defense and rebounding.

This new role was a perfect fit. Howard played a key part in helping the Lakers have a great season. In the playoffs, he provided energy and strong defense, helping the team win the 2020 NBA championship. It was Howard's first and only NBA title.

Later Career (2020–2023)

After winning the championship, Howard played one season with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2020–21. He then returned to the Lakers for a third time for the 2021–22 season.

In 2022, Howard signed with the Taoyuan Leopards in Taiwan's T1 League. He became a huge star there, putting up incredible numbers. In his first game, he had 38 points, 25 rebounds, and 9 assists. He was named an All-Star and the All-Star Game MVP.

In 2025, Howard was chosen to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

National Team Career

Howard at the 2008 Olympics

Howard represented the United States in international competitions. He was the starting center for the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team.

He helped Team USA win a bronze medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship. In 2008, he was a key member of the "Redeem Team" at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Team USA won the gold medal, and Howard averaged 10.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

Player Profile

Standing 6 feet 10 inches tall, Howard was known for his incredible strength and athleticism. His amazing jumping ability was on full display during the 2007 Slam Dunk Contest, where he jumped so high he could slap a sticker 12 feet and 6 inches up the backboard.

He was one of the best defensive players of his time. He led the NBA in rebounding five times and in blocks twice. Other NBA stars praised his talent. Tim Duncan said Howard was "so developed," and Kevin Garnett called him a "freak of nature."

Personal Life

Howard has five children. He is also known for his charity work. In 2004, he started the Dwight D. Howard Foundation Inc. to help young people. He has been recognized for his work in the community.

Howard is a pet lover and keeps about 20 snakes. He also owns a farm in Georgia where he raises animals and grows vegetables.

Images for kids

Howard in 2008, boxing out JaVale McGee of the Washington Wizards
Howard in 2010, contesting a shot by future teammate Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers
Howard with the Lakers in 2013
Howard with the Washington Wizards in 2018
Howard with the Taoyuan Leopards in 2022