#I AM PLAYR 2.9 PROFESSIONAL#

#I AM PLAYR 2.9 PROFESSIONAL#

Professional career Orlando Magic (2004–2012) Early years (2004–2008)įollowing his high school successes, Howard chose to forego college and declared for the 2004 NBA draft-a decision partly inspired by his idol Kevin Garnett who had done the same in 1995-where the Orlando Magic selected him first overall over UConn junior Emeka Okafor. On January 31, 2012, Howard was honored as one of the 35 greatest McDonald's All-Americans. Smith) of the McDonald's All-American Game that year.

The same year, he was widely recognized as the best American high school basketball player, and received 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. 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 attended Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy and played mostly as power forward, averaging 16.6 points, 13.4 rebounds and 6.3 blocks per game in 129 appearances. Despite his large frame, Howard was quick and versatile enough to play the guard position. A devout Christian since his youth, Howard became serious about basketball around the age of nine. Howard's mother had seven miscarriages before he was born. His father is a Georgia State Trooper and is the athletic director at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, a private academy with one of the country's best high school basketball programs his mother played on the inaugural women's basketball team at Morris Brown College. and Sheryl Howard, a family with strong athletic connections.

Howard was born in Atlanta, to Dwight Sr. In his first season with the team, he was named a T1 All-Star. He has also played for the Houston Rockets, the Atlanta Hawks, the Charlotte Hornets, the Washington Wizards, and the Philadelphia 76ers.Īfter playing with the Lakers in 2021–22, Howard moved overseas and signed with the Taiwanese-based Leopards. In 2012, after eight seasons with Orlando, Howard was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he spent three separate one year-stints over the course of his career, winning the NBA Finals in 2020. Howard set numerous franchise and league records with the Magic. He chose to forgo college, entered the 2004 NBA draft, and was selected first overall by the Orlando Magic. Howard, who plays center, spent his high school career at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. He began his career in the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he was an NBA champion, eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA Team honoree, five-time All-Defensive Team member, and three-time Defensive Player of the Year. McDonald's All-American Game Co-MVP ( 2004)ĭwight David Howard II (born December 8, 1985) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League.Naismith Prep Player of the Year (2004).T1 League All-Star Game Most Famous Player ( 2023).T1 League All-Defensive First Team ( 2023).4× NBA All-Defensive First Team ( 2009– 2012).3× NBA Defensive Player of the Year ( 2009– 2011).Howard with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022

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