History of Dwight Howard in Timeline
Dwight Howard is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Taiwan Mustangs in the Asian Tournament. His illustrious career includes a championship win in the NBA, where he achieved numerous accolades: eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA Team selection, five-time All-Defensive Team member, and a three-time Defensive Player of the Year. Howard's exceptional defensive skills have earned him recognition as one of the best defensive players in basketball history.
1962: Wilt Chamberlain's Free Throw Record
In 1962, Wilt Chamberlain set a regular-season record by attempting 34 free throws in a single game. This record stood until Dwight Howard surpassed it in 2012.
December 8, 1985: Birth of Dwight Howard
On December 8, 1985, Dwight David Howard II, an American professional basketball player, was born.
1995: Kevin Garnet Enters NBA Draft Straight Out of High School
In 1995, Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard's idol, made the decision to enter the NBA draft straight out of high school, a decision that would later inspire Howard's own path.
2004: Dwight Howard Drafted by Orlando Magic, Inspired by Kevin Garnett
Following his high school successes, Dwight Howard, partly inspired by his idol Kevin Garnett, chose to forego college and declared for the 2004 NBA draft, where the Orlando Magic selected him first overall.
2004: Dwight Howard's NBA Draft and Debut
In 2004, Dwight Howard chose to enter the NBA draft straight out of high school and was drafted first overall by the Orlando Magic.
2004: Dwight D. Howard Foundation Established
In 2004, Dwight Howard, alongside his parents, founded the Dwight D. Howard Foundation Inc. This initiative reflects his commitment to utilizing his NBA platform and Christian faith to give back to the community.
2004: Dwight Howard's Dominant High School Basketball Career and Accolades
In 2004, Dwight Howard, considered the best American high school basketball player, won 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. He was also co-MVP of the McDonald's All-American Game that year.
2004: Started Appearing in NBA 2K and NBA Live Games
Starting with 2004's ESPN NBA 2K5, Dwight Howard appeared in every entry of the NBA 2K series of basketball simulation video games up until 2021's NBA 2K22, totaling 18 entries. He also appeared in every NBA Live entry from 2004's NBA Live 2005 until the series was canceled in 2018.
November 15, 2005: Dwight Howard Sets Career High with Orlando Magic
On November 15, 2005, Dwight Howard set a new career-high by scoring 21 points and achieving 20 rebounds in a game against the Charlotte Bobcats, becoming the youngest player ever to achieve this feat.
2005: Dwight Howard's Impressive Rookie Season with Orlando Magic
In 2005, Dwight Howard finished his rookie season with the Orlando Magic, averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds, and setting several NBA records. He became the youngest player in NBA history to average a double-double in the regular season. He was selected to play in the 2005 NBA Rookie Challenge, was unanimously selected to the All-Rookie Team, and finished third in the 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. As the team's regular starting center, he helped lead the team to a 5–0 record during its pre-World Championship tour.
April 2, 2006: Guest Appearance on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
On April 2, 2006, Dwight Howard appeared as a special guest on an episode of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, where Ty Pennington and his team built a new home and ministry offices for Sadie Holmes, who operates a social services ministry in the Orlando area.
2006: Dwight Howard Leads Orlando Magic to Playoffs
During the 2006-2007 season, Dwight Howard led the Orlando Magic to the 2007 NBA Playoffs as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, where they were swept by the Detroit Pistons in the first round.
2006: Dwight Howard's Continued Improvement in Second Season
In the 2005-2006 season, Dwight Howard improved his performance, averaging 15.8 points and 12.5 rebounds per game, ranking second in the NBA in several categories. He was selected to play on the Sophomore Team in the 2006 Rookie Challenge during the All-Star break.
February 1, 2007: Dwight Howard's First NBA All-Star Selection
On February 1, 2007, Dwight Howard's talent was recognized as he received his first NBA All-Star selection as a reserve on the Eastern Conference squad for the 2007 NBA All-Star Game.
December 2007: Declared Most Dominant Center
In December 2007, ESPN writer David Thorpe declared Dwight Howard the most dominant center in the NBA, highlighting his significant impact and prowess on the court.
2007: Dwight Howard's Continued Success with Orlando Magic
In the 2007-2008 season, Dwight Howard continued his impressive performance, helping the Magic achieve their best season to date and earning a starting position for the Eastern Conference All-Star team. The Magic won their first division title in 12 years and secured the third seed for the 2008 NBA Playoffs. That year, Howard was named to the All-NBA First Team for the first time, and was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
February 16, 2008: Dwight Howard Wins NBA Slam Dunk Contest
On February 16, 2008, Dwight Howard won the hearts of fans and the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, captivating the audience with a series of innovative dunks, including one where he donned a Superman cape.
June 23, 2008: Named to 2008 Olympic Team
On June 23, 2008, Dwight Howard was named as one of the members of the 12-man squad representing the United States in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. With Howard starting as center, Team USA won all of its games en route to the gold medal.
2008: Start of 2008-09 Season and Injury
Dwight Howard started the 2008-09 season strong, leading the league in blocks per game. However, in December, he injured his left knee, marking the first time in his NBA career that he missed a game due to injury, having previously played in 351 consecutive games.
November 2009: Jefferson Awards Finalist
In November 2009, Dwight Howard was recognized for his philanthropic work and named one of the 10 finalists for the Jefferson Awards for Public Service. This award highlights athletes for their contributions to the community.
2009: All-Star Selection, Playoff Success, and Defensive Player of the Year
In 2009, Dwight Howard earned a starting berth on the Eastern Conference All-Star team, led the Orlando Magic to their second straight Southeast Division title, and secured the third seed for the playoffs. Despite facing challenges, including public disagreements with coach Stan Van Gundy's tactics, the Magic reached the NBA Finals for the first time in 14 years. Howard's outstanding performance throughout the season earned him the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, making him the youngest player to receive this honor. He was also named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team and the All-NBA First Team.
2009: Dwight Howard Leads Orlando Magic to NBA Finals
In 2009, Dwight Howard led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals, marking a significant achievement in his career.
2009: Strong Start and Continued Dominance
The Orlando Magic had a strong start to the 2009-10 season, winning 17 of their first 21 games and setting a new franchise record. Howard continued his dominance, leading the league in blocks and rebounds for the second consecutive year.
January 21, 2010: All-Star Selection
Dwight Howard was named the starting center for the East in the 2010 NBA All-Star Game.
2010: Won Defamation Judgment Against Royce Reed
In 2010, Dwight Howard won a defamation judgment against Royce Reed, the mother of his oldest child Braylon. A Florida judge ruled that she violated a court order prohibiting her from mentioning Howard in the media.
2010: Career Highs and Defensive Dominance
In the 2010-2011 season, Dwight Howard achieved career-highs in points and field goal percentage. He also made history by becoming the first player to win the Defensive Player of the Year award for three consecutive seasons.
2011: Missed Season Due to Injury
Due to a herniated disk in his back, Dwight Howard missed the rest of the 2011-2012 season.
2011: Trade Demand and Commitment to Orlando
Following the 2011 NBA lockout, Dwight Howard, eligible for free agency, requested a trade to either the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, or Dallas Mavericks. He expressed a desire to stay in Orlando but felt the team wasn't doing enough to compete for a championship. After meeting with Magic officials, he agreed to retract his trade demand but emphasized the need for roster improvements.
2011: Played Himself on The Suite Life on Deck
In 2011, Dwight Howard played himself on an episode of The Suite Life on Deck alongside fellow NBA players Deron Williams and Kevin Love.
2011: Trade Request to the Nets
In 2011, Dwight Howard requested a trade to the New Jersey Nets, who had recently relocated to Brooklyn. He planned to become a free agent at the end of the 2012-2013 season if the trade didn't materialize.
2011: Playoff Loss and Technical Fouls
The Orlando Magic lost to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2011 NBA Playoffs. Howard led the NBA in technical fouls with 18, resulting in one-game suspensions after his 16th and 18th technicals.
January 12, 2012: Record Free Throw Attempts and Victory Against the Warriors
On January 12, 2012, Dwight Howard attempted a record-breaking 39 free throws in a game against the Golden State Warriors, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain's 1962 regular-season record of 34. The Warriors employed a "Hack-a-Howard" strategy throughout the game. Howard made 21 of his attempts, contributing to the Magic's 117-109 win.
January 24, 2012: All-Time Scoring Leader for the Magic
On January 24, 2012, Howard became the Orlando Magic's all-time leading scorer.
January 31, 2012: Dwight Howard Named One of the Greatest McDonald's All-Americans
On January 31, 2012, Dwight Howard received a significant honor as he was recognized as one of the 35 greatest McDonald's All-Americans.
March 15, 2012: Commitment to Orlando and Coaching Change
Dwight Howard reversed his decision to opt out of his contract, committing to the Orlando Magic for the 2012-13 season. The Magic were prepared to trade him had he not signed the amendment. Later, coach Stan Van Gundy revealed that Howard wanted him fired, a claim Howard denied. Van Gundy was subsequently let go after the season.
April 19, 2012: Back Surgery and Missed Opportunities
On April 19, 2012, Dwight Howard's agent announced that he would undergo surgery to address a herniated disk in his back, causing him to miss the remainder of the 2011-12 NBA season and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
August 10, 2012: Trade to the Los Angeles Lakers
In a multi-team trade involving the Philadelphia 76ers and the Denver Nuggets, Dwight Howard was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
2012: Dwight Howard Traded to Los Angeles Lakers
In 2012, after eight seasons with the Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
January 4, 2013: Shoulder Injury
On January 4, 2013, during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Dwight Howard sustained a right shoulder injury. The Lakers were 17-24 at that point in the season.
July 13, 2013: Signing with the Houston Rockets
Dwight Howard signed with the Houston Rockets, joining forces with James Harden.
2013: Reputation as a Negative Locker Room Presence
In 2013, Dwight Howard's reputation as a negative locker room presence was widely discussed. He called his former Orlando Magic teammates a 'team full of people no one wanted' and reportedly had conflicts with teammates on various teams.
October 2014: Investigated for Claims of Child Abuse
In October 2014, police in Cobb County, Georgia, investigated claims by Royce Reed that Dwight Howard abused their son. Howard admitted to hitting Braylon with a belt but was not charged in connection with the allegations. He was also involved in a civil case with Reed over custody of their son.
2014: "In the Moment" Documentary Release
In 2014, a documentary film titled "In the Moment", centered around the life and career of Dwight Howard, was released by Epix.
2014: Playoff Loss to the Portland Trail Blazers
The Houston Rockets, led by Dwight Howard and James Harden, made the playoffs but were eliminated in the first round by the Portland Trail Blazers in a 4-2 series loss. Despite the Rockets' early exit, Howard had a strong playoff performance, averaging 26 points and 13.7 rebounds per game.
2014: Knee Injury and Return
Dwight Howard battled a right knee injury throughout the 2014-15 season, missing significant playing time. Despite the injury setbacks, he achieved a career milestone by recording his 10,000th rebound. The Rockets won their first division title in over two decades and reached the Western Conference Finals, ultimately losing to the Golden State Warriors.
November 4, 2015: Howard's Shooting Streak
On November 4, 2015, Dwight Howard scored 23 points and 14 rebounds against the Orlando Magic, shooting a perfect 10 for 10 from the field. This accomplishment made him the first Houston Rockets player since Yao Ming in 2009 to achieve 10 or more field goals without a miss.
January 18, 2016: Double-Double Streak
On January 18, 2016, during an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Dwight Howard delivered an impressive performance with 36 points and a career-high-tying 26 rebounds. This game marked his 10th consecutive double-double, the longest active streak in the league at the time.
June 22, 2016: Free Agency
On June 22, 2016, Dwight Howard made a significant career decision by declining his $23 million player option for the upcoming season. This choice made him an unrestricted free agent, open to negotiating with any team in the league.
July 12, 2016: Joining the Hawks
On July 12, 2016, Dwight Howard signed a lucrative three-year, $70 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks, his hometown team.
March 21, 2017: Historic Performance Against the Nets
On March 21, Dwight Howard delivered a historic performance against the Brooklyn Nets, recording an impressive 32 points and a franchise-record 30 rebounds, leading the Hornets to a 111-105 victory.
June 20, 2017: Trade to the 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. In return, the Hawks received Marco Belinelli, Miles Plumlee, and the 41st overall pick in the same draft.
July 6, 2018: Trade to the Nets and Waiver
On July 6, 2018, Dwight Howard was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. However, the Nets immediately waived him, making him a free agent.
July 12, 2018: Signing with the Wizards
On July 12, 2018, Dwight Howard signed with the Washington Wizards.
April 18, 2019: Player Option with the Wizards
On April 18, 2019, Dwight Howard exercised his player option, worth $5.6 million, to remain with the Washington Wizards for a second season.
July 6, 2019: Trade to the Grizzlies
On July 6, 2019, Dwight Howard was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for forward C.J. Miles.
August 24, 2019: Waived by the Grizzlies
On August 24, 2019, Dwight Howard was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies.
August 26, 2019: Return to the Lakers
On August 26, 2019, Dwight Howard returned to the Los Angeles Lakers, signing a one-year contract for the veteran's minimum of $2.6 million. This move reunited him with the team he had played for previously.
January 13, 2020: Season High with the Lakers
On January 13, 2020, Dwight Howard achieved a season-high performance while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. He scored an impressive 21 points, making 9 out of 11 shots, and grabbed a season-high of 15 rebounds.
March 27, 2020: Death of Melissa Rios
On March 27, 2020, Melissa Rios, the mother of Dwight Howard's son David, tragically passed away due to an epileptic seizure. David was with Howard at his residence in Georgia during the time of her passing.
November 21, 2020: Signing with the 76ers
On November 21, 2020, Dwight Howard signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers for $2,564,753.
2020: Dwight Howard Wins NBA Championship with Los Angeles Lakers
In 2020, Dwight Howard achieved a significant milestone by winning the NBA Finals with the Los Angeles Lakers.
August 6, 2021: Return to the Lakers
On August 6, 2021, Dwight Howard rejoined the Los Angeles Lakers by signing a veteran's minimum contract.
2021: Dwight Howard Moves Overseas to Play Basketball
After playing with the Lakers in the 2021–22 season, Dwight Howard made a career move by going overseas to play basketball and signed with the Taiwanese-based Leopards.
November 7, 2022: Joining the Taoyuan Leopards
On November 7, 2022, Dwight Howard signed with the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League in Taiwan, marking his entry into international basketball.
February 2023: Named All-Star and MVP in T1 League
In February 2023, Dwight Howard was named an All-Star for the T1 League and was also awarded the All-Star Game Most Famous Player. He participated in the Three-Point Contest, scored 37 points, and was named the All-Star game MVP for his outstanding performance.
May 10, 2023: Selected to T1 League All-Defensive First Team
On May 10, 2023, Dwight Howard was selected to the T1 League All-Defensive First Team for the 2022–23 season. This honor recognized his defensive prowess and contributions during the season.
July 2023: Lawsuit for Assault and Battery
In July 2023, Dwight Howard faced a lawsuit alleging assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and false imprisonment stemming from an encounter at his Georgia residence in July 2021. The plaintiff accused Howard of coercing him into a sexual encounter and sexual assault. Howard denied the allegations, stating the activity was consensual.
2023: Finished Third on Special Forces: World's Toughest Test
In 2023, Dwight Howard finished third on Special Forces: World's Toughest Test, showcasing his physical and mental toughness in a challenging environment.
January 2024: Joined Philippine-based Strong Group
In January 2024, Dwight Howard joined the non-league Philippine-based team Strong Group for the Dubai International Basketball Championship, where he helped secure a silver medal finish. He later expressed openness to playing in the Philippine Basketball Association.
March 1, 2024: Signed with Mets de Guaynabo
On March 1, 2024, Dwight Howard signed with the Mets de Guaynabo of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional, although he never played for the team.
May 30, 2024: Joined Taiwan Mustangs
On May 30, 2024, Dwight Howard joined the Taiwan Mustangs of The Asian Tournament (TAT), marking another chapter in his international basketball career.
August 2024: Lawsuit Dismissed
In August 2024, the lawsuit filed against Dwight Howard in July 2023, regarding allegations of assault and battery, was dismissed with prejudice.