Dwight Howard inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame

Dwight Howard (Scott Mecum, Wikimedia Commons)

According to Rogers Sportsnet on Saturday, former National Basketball Association center and power forward Dwight Howard of Atlanta, Georgia has been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. Howard is one of two players from the NBA who are being inducted in 2025. The other is Carmelo Anthony, who we discussed on Friday.

Howard played 18 seasons in the NBA from 2004 to 2022. He was with the Orlando Magic from 2004 to 2012, the Los Angeles Lakers three separate seasons (2012 to 2013. 2019 to 2020, and 2021 to 2022), the Houston Rockets for three seasons from 2013 to 2016, the Atlanta Hawks for one season from 2016 to 2017, the Charlotte Hornets for one season from 2017 to 2018. the Washington Wizards for one season from 2018 to 2019, and the Philadelphia 76ers for one season from 2020 to 2021.

In 1242 games, Howard averaged a double-double. He had 15.7 points per game, 11.8 rebounds per game, 1.8 blocks per game, and 1.3 assists per game. Howard also had a field goal percentage of .587, free throw percentage of .567, and three point percentage of .214.

Known for his defense, Howard led the NBA in total rebounds five times (14.2 in 2007-08, 13.8 in 2008-09, 13.2 in 2009-10, 14.5 in 2011-12, and 12,4 in 2013-14), and blocks per game twice (2.9 in 2008-09, and 2.8 in 2009-10). He was also the NBA Defensive Player of the Year three straight years from 2009 to 2011. An eight-time All-Star from 2007 to 2014, Howard also showed strong offensive skill. He led the NBA with a .612 field goal percentage in 2009-10.

Howard also won one NBA Finals. He was on the 2020 Lakers championship team.

Prior to playing in the NBA, Howard played for Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy High School. He was the first overall pick by the Magic in the 2004 NBA Draft.