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Basketball Player

Dwight Howard

December 8, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Dwight David Howard II was born on December 8, 1985, in Atlanta. He is a famous American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (N.B.A.). He is an N.B.A. champion, an All-Star champion, an All-N.B.A. Team honoree, an All-Defense Team member, and the ‘Defensive Player of the Year.’ Howard finished high school at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy and skipped college to enter the 2004 N.B.A. draft. He was selected first overall by the Orlando Magic and has since then set numerous franchise and league records in the N.B.A.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Dwight David Howard II

Birth date:

December 8, 1985

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Sagittarius

Height:

6' 10"

Relationship Status:

Divorced

Net Worth:

$140 million

Background

Dwight David Howard II, or Dwight Howard, was born in Atlanta, U.S., on December 8, 1985, to Dwight Sr. and his wife, Sheryl Howard. His father was a Georgia State Trooper and the athletic director at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, a private academy where Howard attended high school. His mother, Sheryl, was a member of the inaugural women’s basketball team at Morris Brown College.

As a senior, Howard led his team to a 31-2 record and the 2004 state title, while averaging 25 points, 18 rebounds, 8.1 blocks, and 3.5 assists per game. He was recognized as the best high school basketball player in America. In the very same year, also received the following awards: the Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award; the Morgan Wootten High School Player of the Year Award; Gatorade National Player of the Year; and the McDonald’s National High School Player of the Year honor.

2010 was controversial for him; he won a defamation judgment against Royce Reed, the mother of his oldest child, Braylon. A Florida judge ruled that she violated a court order that barred her from mentioning his name in the media. He sought around $500 million in damages as she belittled him on Twitter and the T.V. show, “Basketball Wives.” In October 2014, the police in Cobb County, Georgia, examined all the claims by Reed that Howard had abused their son. Despite Howard admitting to belting his son to discipline the child, he was not charged with any of the accusations.

Howard owns a farm in North Georgia where he likes to spend time in nature and with his animals, such as cows, hogs, turkeys, and deer. Farming on his estate is also one of his hobbies.

Career timeline

2006

A Sophomore Team Member

During the All-Star break, he is chosen to play on the sophomore team in the Rookie Challenge.

2008

He is Selected For the Olympics

He is selected for the 12-man squad representing the U.S. in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

2012

An Honor Comes His Way

Howard is honored as one of the 35 greatest McDonald’s All-Americans.

2012

Traded to the Los Angeles Lakers

Howard is traded from Orlando to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal.

2013

His Deal with the Rockets

In July, Howard signs with the Houston Rockets, joining James Harden to form a formidable duo.

2019

He Makes a T.V. Appearance

Howard makes an appearance on season six of the American reality T.V. show, “The Masked Singer.”

Why We Love Dwight Howard

His jersey is significant
Howard’s choice for the number 12 jersey was because of Kevin Garnett’s 21 with Minnesota. He switched the numbers but still honors the player. He is particular about this number on his jersey.
He is altruistic
He firmly believes in reaching out to his community and fans, and contributes substantially through philanthropy. Howard and his parents founded the Dwight D. Howard Foundation Inc. in 2004.
He has role models
Howard is a big fan of Michael B. Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Kevin Garnett. He has modeled himself after his idols. This has polished his skills even more.

5 Surprising Facts

He has five kids
Howard has five kids from five different women.
He keeps exotic pets
Howard keeps about 20 pet snakes and has also appeared on the Animal Planet series, “Tanked.”
He tried to fight Kobe Bryant
Howard allegedly tried to fight Bryant after being called “soft.”
His signature number
After leaving the Magic, Howard complained that his signature 12 number wasn't retired.
He broke a record
Howard became the youngest player in the N.B.A. history to average at least 10 rebounds a season.

Dwight Howard FAQs

Is Dwight Howard a top 50 player?

Howard is number 43 on Nick Wright’s Top 50.

Who is the oldest retired N.B.A. player?

Although Charles Jones had a fairly long career in the N.B.A., he did not leave a noteworthy impact. Jones’ most notable feature as a professional basketball player was that he was one of the oldest players in the game’s history; he retired at 41.

Is Deandre Jordan an All-Star?

Jordan has all three N.B.A. selections, two All-Defensive Team selections, and has twice led the league in rebounding. In 2017, he was named an N.B.A. All-Star for the first time.