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, famously nicknamed "Superman." His distinguished career includes an NBA championship, eight All-Star selections, eight All-NBA Team honors, five All-Defensive Team selections, and three Defensive Player of the Year awards. He's recognized for his athletic abilities and defensive skills.
1962: Wilt Chamberlain's Record
On January 12, 2012, Dwight Howard attempted an NBA regular season record 39 free throws against the Golden State Warriors breaking Wilt Chamberlain's regular-season record of 34 set in 1962.
2004: Declared for NBA Draft
In 2004, Dwight Howard chose to forgo college and declared for the NBA draft, where the Orlando Magic selected him first overall. He took the number 12 for his jersey.
2004: Drafted by the Orlando Magic
In 2004, Dwight Howard chose to forgo college and entered the NBA draft, where he was selected first overall by the Orlando Magic.
2004: Established the Dwight D. Howard Foundation Inc.
In 2004, Dwight Howard, along with his parents, established the Dwight D. Howard Foundation Inc.
November 15, 2005: Youngest to 20 Points and 20 Rebounds
On November 15, 2005, Dwight Howard recorded 21 points and 20 rebounds against the Charlotte Bobcats, becoming the youngest player ever to achieve this feat.
2005: Led the NBA in Dunks
Dwight Howard led the NBA in dunks for six consecutive seasons, from 2005-06 to 2010-2011.
2005: Selected to All-Rookie Team
In 2005, Dwight Howard was selected to play in the NBA Rookie Challenge and was unanimously selected to the All-Rookie Team. He also finished third in Rookie of the Year voting.
March 5, 2006: Named to USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team
On March 5, 2006, Dwight Howard was named to the 2006–2008 USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team program.
April 2, 2006: Appearance on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
On April 2, 2006, Dwight Howard made a special guest appearance on an episode of the ABC series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, where a new home and ministry offices were built for Sadie Holmes.
2006: All-NBA Third Team Selection
At the end of the 2006–07 campaign, Dwight Howard was named to the All-NBA Third Team.
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 for the 2007 NBA All-Star Game.
December 2007: Named Most Dominant Center in the NBA
In December 2007, ESPN writer David Thorpe declared Dwight Howard the most dominant center in the NBA.
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: NBA Slam Dunk Contest
In 2007, Dwight Howard participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. He completed an alley oop dunk from teammate Jameer Nelson while slapping a sticker onto the backboard. The sticker showed an image of his own smiling face with a handwritten "All things through Christ Phil: 4:13".
2007: Posting Impressive Numbers
In the 2007-08 season, Dwight Howard continued posting impressive numbers and helped the Magic have their best season to date. He was named as a starter for the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
February 16, 2008: Won NBA Slam Dunk Contest
On February 16, 2008, Dwight Howard won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, receiving 78% of the fan votes by text messaging or online voting. He donned a Superman cape for one of his dunks.
June 23, 2008: Named to the US Olympic Team
On June 23, 2008, Dwight Howard was named to the 12-man squad representing 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.
2008: Leading League in Blocks
In the 2008-09 NBA season, after ten games, Dwight Howard was leading the league in blocks per game (4.2).
November 2009: Finalist for Jefferson Awards for Public Service
In November 2009, Dwight Howard was named one of the 10 finalists for the Jefferson Awards for Public Service, which recognizes athletes for their charitable work.
2009: Comments after NBA Playoffs
After a game in the 2009 NBA Playoffs, Philadelphia 76ers swingman Andre Iguodala commented on Howard's defensive abilities, stating that he could guard two players at once.
2009: Led Magic to NBA Finals and Won Defensive Player of the Year
In 2009, Dwight Howard led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals for the first time in 14 years and was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He earned a record 3.1 million votes to earn the starting berth on the Eastern Conference team for the NBA All-Star Game.
2009: Led Magic to NBA Finals
In 2009, Dwight Howard led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals.
2009: Strong Start
In the 2009-10 NBA season, the Magic got off to a strong start, winning 17 of their first 21 games and setting a franchise record.
January 21, 2010: All-Star Game Starter
On January 21, 2010, Dwight Howard was named as the starting center for the East in the 2010 NBA All-Star Game.
2010: NBA Rebounding Leader
In 2010, Dwight Howard led the NBA in rebounding for the fourth consecutive year, continuing his streak from 2007 to 2010.
2010: Defensive Player of the Year Award
In the 2010-11 NBA season, Dwight Howard won the Defensive Player of the Year Award for the second straight year.
2011: Trade Demand
In 2011, Dwight Howard demanded a trade to the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, or Dallas Mavericks, expressing concerns about the Magic organization's ability to build a championship contender.
2011: Previously Asked to be Traded
In 2011, before waiving his right to opt out of his contract on March 15, 2012, Dwight Howard had previously asked to be traded to the New Jersey Nets.
2011: Third Defensive Player of the Year
In the 2010-11 NBA season, Dwight Howard became the first player in league history to win Defensive Player of the Year honors for three consecutive seasons.
January 12, 2012: Attempted Record 39 Free Throws
On January 12, 2012, Dwight Howard attempted an NBA regular season record 39 free throws against the Golden State Warriors, making 21 of them. He finished the game with 45 points and 23 rebounds in the Magic's victory.
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 Opt-Out Right and Committed to Magic
On March 15, 2012, Dwight Howard waived his right to opt out of his contract and committed to stay with the Orlando Magic through the 2012-13 season. He had previously asked to be traded to the New Jersey Nets.
August 10, 2012: Trade 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 also involving the Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets. Howard only had four weeks of training camp and preseason to prepare for the season due to recovering from back surgery.
2012: Extension to Stay in Orlando
Following his breakout campaign, Dwight Howard signed a five-year, $80 million extension in 2007 that would keep him in Orlando through the 2012-13 season.
2012: NBA Rebounding Leader
In 2012, Dwight Howard once again led the NBA in rebounding, continuing his dominance in this statistical category.
2012: Traded to the Los Angeles Lakers
In 2012, after eight seasons with the Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
July 13, 2013: Signed with Houston Rockets
On July 13, 2013, Dwight Howard signed a four-year, $88 million contract with the Houston Rockets, joining James Harden. This marked a significant milestone in his career.
2013: NBA Rebounding Leader
In 2013, Dwight Howard led the NBA in rebounding, marking his last year in his second rebounding leadership streak.
June 22, 2016: Declined Player Option
On June 22, 2016, Dwight Howard declined his $23 million player option for the 2016–17 season, becoming an unrestricted free agent.
July 12, 2016: Signed 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: Traded to Charlotte Hornets
On June 20, 2017, Dwight Howard was traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Marco Belinelli, Miles Plumlee, and a draft pick.
July 6, 2018: Traded to and Waived by Brooklyn Nets
On July 6, 2018, Dwight Howard was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Timofey Mozgov, draft rights to Hamidou Diallo, a 2021 second-round draft pick and cash considerations. He was then immediately waived by the Nets.
July 12, 2018: Signed with Washington Wizards
On July 12, 2018, Dwight Howard signed with the Washington Wizards on a two-year, $10.9 million contract.
April 18, 2019: Exercised Player Option with Wizards
On April 18, 2019, Dwight Howard exercised his $5.6 million player option to play a second season with the Wizards.
July 6, 2019: Traded to Memphis Grizzlies
On July 6, 2019, Dwight Howard was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for forward C. J. Miles.
August 24, 2019: Waived by Grizzlies
On August 24, 2019, Dwight Howard was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies.
August 26, 2019: Signed with Los Angeles Lakers
On August 26, 2019, Dwight Howard signed a $2.6 million veteran's minimum contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, marking his return to the team. He replaced DeMarcus Cousins, who was injured.
2019: Lakers' Warning Upon Signing
In 2019, when the Lakers signed Dwight Howard, the team reportedly warned him that he would be dismissed if he engaged in any inappropriate behavior.
November 21, 2020: Signed with Philadelphia 76ers
On November 21, 2020, Dwight Howard signed a one-year deal worth $2,564,753 with the Philadelphia 76ers.
2020: Won NBA Championship with Lakers
In 2020, Dwight Howard won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.
August 6, 2021: Signed with Los Angeles Lakers for Second Stint
On August 6, 2021, Dwight Howard signed a $2.6 million veteran's minimum contract with the Los Angeles Lakers for a second 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.
November 7, 2022: Signed with Taoyuan Leopards
On November 7, 2022, Dwight Howard, unable to secure a spot in the NBA, signed with the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League in Taiwan.
2022: Charitable Auction on 37th Birthday
In 2022, on his 37th birthday, Dwight Howard raised over NT$3 million (US$97,969) with a charitable auction. Items sold included collectible jerseys and pairs of shoes worn by Howard.
March 1, 2024: Briefly Signed with Mets de Guaynabo
On March 1, 2024, Dwight Howard briefly signed with the Mets de Guaynabo of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional, but ultimately never played for them.
May 30, 2024: Joined Taiwan Mustangs of The Asian Tournament
On May 30, 2024, Dwight Howard joined the Taiwan Mustangs of The Asian Tournament (TAT).
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