Dwight Howard’s status as a basketball legend is undeniable. Known as Superman, his athleticism and dominance in the paint made headlines. It wasn’t just his big stature, being 6’10”, it was also how he moved despite his size! And it wasn’t just fans who admired him. Even Julius Erving had once high praise for DH12, calling him “the best center in the game.” With praise like that, how could anyone question his place in NBA history?
Recently, Howard was inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame. That moment reminded fans of just how much he gave to that franchise. He’s also recently been inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. But oddly, his jersey still doesn’t hang in the rafters. For someone with eight All-Star appearances and three Defensive Player of the Year awards, that seems like an oversight. Isn’t jersey retirement supposed to be the ultimate team honor? And if you’re still wondering just how dominant the 39-year-old really was, maybe it’s time we rewind the clock. Let’s take a look at the numbers that started it all.
Before Dwight Howard ever wore an NBA jersey, he was already breaking expectations. Born prematurely in Atlanta, his parents believed he was destined for greatness. Back in 2004, his father even recalled saying, “This boy’s going to be an NBA player,” right from the day he was born. That wasn’t just wishful thinking, it became Howard’s goal early on. He grew up knowing exactly what he wanted.
At Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, Howard’s numbers were unreal. He played 129 high school games and averaged 16.6 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 6.3 blocks. But his senior year was something else entirely. He put up 25 points, 18 rebounds, and over 8 blocks a game, leading his team to a 31–2 record and a state title. He won every award in sight. From the Naismith Prep Player of the Year to McDonald’s High School Player of the Year, he had it all.
So, why skip college? Howard had already made peace with that decision. As a teenager, he told reporters he didn’t want to waste time chasing things that didn’t match his vision. “I made up my mind that I was going to sacrifice time, girls, money, and all of that just to play basketball,” he admitted. That’s not something you often hear from an 18-year-old. But for Howard, the NBA wasn’t just a dream. It was a plan.
Still, the weight of that decision hit him hard. He remembered crying in a car with his classmates after graduation. They were heading to college dorms; he was heading to an NBA locker room. “It brought me to tears… I’m going to miss all this,” he said. That bittersweet moment stayed with him. Being great came at a price, and Dwight Howard paid it early.
Dwight Howard played 1,242 regular-season NBA games and left behind a stat sheet that proves how unique his presence was. He averaged 15.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game, elite numbers that highlight his control in the paint. But more than just scoring or grabbing boards, he shot nearly 59 percent from the field, a sign of efficiency that anchored his teams’ offenses for years.
His best years came during his time in Orlando. There, he averaged 18.4 points and 13 rebounds over eight seasons. He also racked up three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards. From 2007 to 2012, he was consistently a top-five MVP candidate and easily the league’s most feared rim protector.
Howard’s advanced stats are just as strong. A career Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 21.3 and 141.7 win shares put him in rare company. While his free-throw percentage was just 56.7%, his 58.8% effective field goal percentage shows how valuable his shot selection was. He wasn’t flashy beyond the arc, but he didn’t need to be. He knew his strengths and stayed inside, where he dominated.
Even in the twilight of his career, Dwight adjusted his game. He became a role player and won a title with the Lakers in 2020, still shooting over 72% that season. Few big men transition well from superstar to support piece. Howard did it with surprising grace. Look past the headlines and drama, and the numbers speak for themselves. Dwight Howard was one of the best centers of his generation. And statistically? He’s right where the greats belong.
After wrapping up his last NBA season in 2021–22, did Dwight Howard just disappear? Not even close. While some still wonder if he’ll ever make an NBA return, Howard took his game global, and he started doing it his way. Though there are speculations about his retirement from the NBA, it is not yet officially confirmed if he has retired from the league.
But coming back to his international journey, where did he go? In November 2022, Howard signed with the Taoyuan Leopards in Taiwan’s T1 League. His debut was unreal: 38 points, 25 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 blocks. Even with nagging knee issues, he still grabbed the All-Star, led the league in rebounds, and took home the Most Valuable Import award. He even made both the All-Defensive and All-League First Teams. Taiwan was a statement.
His journey kept rolling. He briefly signed with Puerto Rico’s Mets de Guaynabo, played for the Taiwan Mustangs, and even teased playing in Australia and the Philippines again. Not everything stuck, but that’s not the point. Dwight’s message was clear: basketball’s still in his blood, just on a bigger map.
And just when you think he’s done surprising us, he joins the LA Riot of the BIG3 as a player-captain. Nick Young is coaching, Ice Cube is running the show, and the championship weekend is set in Orlando, where it all began for Dwight. Ice Cube said it best: “I just think that’s pretty poetic.”
