Career Timeline of Dwight Howard: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Dwight Howard made an impact.

Dwight Howard is a former American professional basketball player, known as "Superman" for his athleticism. An NBA champion and eight-time All-Star, Howard has been recognized as one of the league's best, earning eight All-NBA Team selections. He also excelled defensively, securing five All-Defensive Team nods and winning the Defensive Player of the Year award three times.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1962: Wilt Chamberlain's record

On January 12, 2012, Howard broke Wilt Chamberlain's regular-season record of 34 free throws set in 1962.

2004: Drafted by Orlando Magic

In 2004, Dwight Howard was selected first overall by the Orlando Magic in the NBA draft after forgoing college.

2004: Selected First Overall in NBA Draft

In 2004, Dwight Howard was selected first overall by the Orlando Magic in the NBA draft and took the number 12 for his jersey.

2004: Dwight D. Howard Foundation Inc.

In 2004, Dwight Howard, together with his parents, established the Dwight D. Howard Foundation Inc.

2004: First NBA 2K Appearance

Starting with ESPN NBA 2K5 in 2004, Dwight Howard appeared in every entry of the NBA 2K series of basketball simulation video games up until NBA 2K22 in 2021.

November 15, 2005: Youngest Player with 20/20 Game

On November 15, 2005, Dwight Howard became the youngest player ever to score 20 or more points and gather 20 or more rebounds in the same game.

2005: Led the NBA in Dunks

Dwight Howard led the NBA in dunks for six consecutive seasons, from 2005-06 to 2010-2011.

2005: All-Rookie Team Selection

In 2005, Dwight Howard was unanimously selected to the All-Rookie Team and played in the NBA Rookie Challenge.

2005: First NBA Live Appearance

Starting with NBA Live 2005 in 2005, Dwight Howard appeared in every NBA Live entry until the series was canceled in 2018 following NBA Live 19.

March 5, 2006: Howard Named to USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team Program

On March 5, 2006, Dwight Howard was named to the 2006–2008 USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team program.

2006: 2006-07 Season Achievements

During the 2006–07 NBA season, Howard played in all 82 regular-season games for the third consecutive season. He qualified for the 2007 NBA Playoffs as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.

2006: Rookie Challenge Selection

In 2006, Dwight Howard was selected to play on the Sophomore Team in the Rookie Challenge during the All-Star break.

February 1, 2007: First NBA All-Star Selection

On February 1, 2007, Dwight Howard received his first NBA All-Star selection as a reserve on the Eastern Conference squad.

February 9, 2007: Game-Winning Alley-Oop

On February 9, 2007, Dwight Howard made a game-winning alley-oop off an inbound pass at the buzzer against the San Antonio Spurs.

2007: Impressive Numbers

Dwight Howard continued posting impressive numbers in the 2007–08 season and helped the Magic have their best season to date.

2007: Led the NBA in Dunks

Dwight Howard led the NBA in dunks for six consecutive seasons, from 2005-06 to 2010-2011, with a high of 269 dunks in the 2007-2008 season

2007: Slam Dunk Contest Participation

In 2007, Dwight Howard participated in the Slam Dunk Contest, completing an alley oop dunk from Jameer Nelson while slapping a sticker onto the backboard. He also began a streak of leading the NBA in rebounding from 2007 to 2010.

February 16, 2008: NBA Slam Dunk Contest Winner

On February 16, 2008, Dwight Howard won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest with innovative dunks, including one with a Superman cape, receiving 78% of the fan votes.

June 23, 2008: Named to Olympic Team

On June 23, 2008, Dwight Howard was named to the 12-man squad to represent the United States in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

2008: Led the NBA in Dunks

Dwight Howard led the NBA in dunks for six consecutive seasons, from 2005-06 to 2010-2011, with a high of 269 dunks in the 2007-2008 season

November 2009: Jefferson Awards Finalist

In November 2009, Dwight Howard was named one of the 10 finalists for the Jefferson Awards for Public Service.

2009: NBA Playoffs Performance

After a game in the 2009 NBA Playoffs, Philadelphia 76ers swingman Andre Iguodala praised Dwight Howard's defensive capabilities.

2009: Led Magic to NBA Finals

In 2009, Dwight Howard led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals.

2009: Named NBA Defensive Player of the Year

In 2009, Dwight Howard was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the youngest player to ever win the award. He led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals.

2009: Strong Start to 2009-10 season

In the 2009–10 season, the Magic got off to a strong start, winning 17 of their first 21 games and setting a franchise record.

January 21, 2010: Named All-Star Starter

On January 21, 2010, Dwight Howard was named as the starting center for the East in the 2010 NBA All-Star Game.

2010: Defensive Player of the Year Award

In the 2010–11 season, Dwight Howard became the first player in league history to win Defensive Player of the Year honors for three consecutive seasons.

2011: Demanded Trade

In 2011, during the lockout-shortened season, Dwight Howard demanded a trade to the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, or Dallas Mavericks.

2011: Asked to be traded to the New Jersey Nets

On March 15, 2012, on the day of the trading deadline for the 2011–12 NBA season, Howard had previously asked to be traded to the New Jersey Nets.

January 12, 2012: Attempted NBA Regular Season Record

On January 12, 2012, Dwight Howard attempted an NBA regular season record 39 free throws against the Golden State Warriors, making 21 of them.

January 24, 2012: Magic's All-Time Scoring Leader

On January 24, 2012, Dwight Howard became the Orlando Magic's all-time scoring leader.

March 15, 2012: Waived Right to Opt Out

On March 15, 2012, Dwight Howard waived his right to opt out of his contract and committed to stay with the Magic through the 2012–13 season.

April 19, 2012: Howard to Undergo Back Surgery

On April 19, 2012, Dwight Howard's agent announced that Howard would undergo surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back, causing him to miss the remainder of the 2011-12 season and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

August 10, 2012: Howard Traded to the Los Angeles Lakers

On August 10, 2012, Dwight Howard was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a deal involving the Philadelphia 76ers and the Denver Nuggets.

2012: Five-Year Extension

Following his breakout campaign, Dwight Howard signed a five-year, $80 million extension that would keep him in Orlando through the 2012–13 season.

2012: Traded to Los Angeles Lakers

In 2012, Dwight Howard was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers after playing eight seasons with the Orlando Magic.

January 4, 2013: Howard Injured His Right Shoulder

On January 4, 2013, Howard injured his right shoulder in the second half of the Lakers' 107–102 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

July 13, 2013: Howard Signs with the Houston Rockets

On July 13, 2013, Dwight Howard signed a four-year, $88 million contract with the Houston Rockets, joining James Harden.

November 4, 2015: Howard Achieves 23 Points and 14 Rebounds Against Orlando Magic

On November 4, 2015, Dwight Howard scored 23 points and had 14 rebounds against the Orlando Magic, shooting 10-of-10, becoming the first Rocket to make 10 or more field goals without a miss since Yao Ming in 2009.

January 18, 2016: Howard Records 36 Points and 26 Rebounds

On January 18, 2016, in an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Howard had 36 points and tied a career high with 26 rebounds, marking his 10th straight double-double.

June 22, 2016: Howard Declines Player Option

On June 22, 2016, Dwight Howard declined his $23 million player option for the 2016–17 season and became an unrestricted free agent.

July 12, 2016: Howard Signs with Atlanta Hawks

On July 12, 2016, Dwight Howard signed a three-year, $70 million contract with his hometown team, the Atlanta Hawks.

June 20, 2017: Howard Traded to Charlotte Hornets

On June 20, 2017, the Atlanta Hawks traded Dwight Howard, along with the 31st overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, to the Charlotte Hornets.

July 6, 2018: Howard Traded to Brooklyn Nets

On July 6, 2018, Dwight Howard was traded to the Brooklyn Nets and then waived immediately upon being acquired.

July 12, 2018: Howard Signs with Washington Wizards

On July 12, 2018, Dwight Howard signed a two-year, $10.9 million contract with the Washington Wizards.

2018: NBA Live Series Cancellation

The NBA Live series was canceled in 2018 following NBA Live 19, ending Dwight Howard's appearances in the game.

April 18, 2019: Howard Exercises Player Option

On April 18, 2019, Dwight Howard exercised his $5.6 million player option to play a second season with the Wizards.

July 6, 2019: Howard Traded to Memphis Grizzlies

On July 6, 2019, Dwight Howard was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for C. J. Miles.

August 24, 2019: Howard Waived by Grizzlies

On August 24, 2019, Dwight Howard was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies.

August 26, 2019: Howard Signs with Los Angeles Lakers

On August 26, 2019, Dwight Howard signed a $2.6 million veteran's minimum contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, reuniting with his former team.

January 13, 2020: Howard Scores Season-High 21 Points

On January 13, 2020, Dwight Howard scored a season-high 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting and got a season-high 15 rebounds.

November 21, 2020: Howard Signs with Philadelphia 76ers

On November 21, 2020, Dwight Howard signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers worth $2,564,753.

2020: Won NBA Championship with Lakers

In 2020, Dwight Howard won an NBA championship as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

August 6, 2021: Howard Signs with Los Angeles Lakers Again

On August 6, 2021, Dwight Howard signed a $2.6 million veteran's minimum contract with the Los Angeles Lakers for another stint.

2021: Signed with Taoyuan Leopards

After the 2021–22 NBA season, Dwight Howard moved overseas and signed with the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League.

2021: Final NBA 2K Appearance

Dwight Howard's last appearance in the NBA 2K series of basketball simulation video games was in 2021's NBA 2K22.

November 7, 2022: Howard Signs with Taoyuan Leopards

On November 7, 2022, Dwight Howard signed with the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League in Taiwan.

2022: Charitable Auction

On his 37th birthday in 2022, Dwight Howard raised over NT$3 million with a charitable auction, selling collectible jerseys and pairs of shoes worn by Howard.