When Dwight Howard was young he saw himself as a potential professional basketball player, not only did it end there, he dreamed of becoming a No. 1 draft in the National Basketball Association (NBA). This dream later came true, right after high school with bubbling energy and sovereign performance. Dwight announced his intention to enter the 2004 NBA draft. He then joined Orlando Magic as a first pick in the draft. Dwight spent over seven seasons with Orlando and left an indelible mark there. He has since played for other notable clubs in the NBA since his 1st draft. Find out more about him below, including his family and financial situation.
Dwight Howard’s biography
Dwight David Howard was born on December 8, 1985, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA to Dwight Howard Sr. and Sheryl Howard. His father, a Georgia soldier, also served as athletic director at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. Dwight’s mother played basketball at Morris Brown College in her prime. David undoubtedly had sports blood in his veins even before he was born. He was dubbed a “child prodigy” because he came after 7 miscarriages suffered by his mother.
By the age of 9, Dwight had already started playing basketball. He was also focused and fully committed to his Christian faith. He attended Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy for his high school where his b-ball exploits began as a power forward. The youngster played 129 games averaging 16.6 points, 13.4 rebounds and 6.3 blocks per game, which he completed in his junior year.
In 2004, Howard led his team to a 31-2 record, winning the 2004 state title averaging 25 points and 18 rebounds. 8.1 blocks and 3.5 templates per game. His intimidating stats earned him special recognition and accolades such as; the top American high school footballer, Gatorade national player of the year, and McDonald’s national player of the year. Dwight won the McDonald’s All-American Game of the Year MVP award with JR Smith, among others. He finished his junior year with 2,146 points, 1,728 rebounds and 811 blocks. With promising NBA stats, the talented baller announced his intention to enter the 2004 NBA draft, which will lose his collegiate eligibility.
Dwight Howard was drafted 1st overall in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic where he rose to stardom. In 82 games, he was a rookie, averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds. He became the youngest player in the NBA to average a double-double in the regular season. Dwight also became the youngest NBA player to ever record 20 rebounds in a game.
In his second season with the team, his coach,Brian Hill, turned him into a full-fledged center. Dwight worked hard and improved his team’s defense by following his coach’s advice. On his return as a forward, he recorded 21 points and 20 rebounds. In 2006, Dwight Howard recorded another career-high 26 rebounds in the match against the Philadelphia 76ers. He finished the game with 28 points, which was close to the NBA ideal of 30-30. Overall, despite Dwight’s input for the team, he averaged 15.8 points and 12.5 rebounds and doubles. They didn’t make the playoffs.
He stepped up his games in the 2006-2007 seasons, appearing in 82 regular season games and making his first NBA All-Star appearance as a reserve in the Eastern Conference squad. Dwight finished the game with 20 points and 12 rebounds, followed closely by a career-high 32 points against the Toronto Raptors. His 2007 season ended averaging 17.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game, earning him recognition as one of the best players in the league. He finished the 2009 season averaging 40.14 rebounds. His exploits at Orlando lasted until 2012 when he left the club.
In summary, he saw the team hold three divisional titles and one conference title. He was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year for three consecutive seasons (2009-2011) and NBA First Team Selection for five consecutive seasons (2008-2012).
Dwight closely aligned with the Los Angeles Lakers on August 10, 2012, winning 2013 NBA All-Star and All-NBA Third Team selections after limited games, averaging 17.1 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. He’d sustained frustrating injuries and had to undergo surgeries that hampered his performance at the show.
He left the Lakers for the Houston Rockets on July 3, 2013, where he teamed with James Harden, playing Howard as a power forward and later beginning a shambolic first season in his main position (center forward). He averaged 18.3 points, 12.2 rebounds per game and became the team’s youngest player to net more balls in a row.
He struggled with injuries in the 2014-2015 season which saw him have limited playing time. Dwight played in 41 games, averaging 15.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. The following season, his stats dropped further to 13.7 points and 11.8 rebounds.
He joined the Atlanta Hawks on July 12, 2016 on a three-year, $70 million contract. In his first game of the season, he had 11 points and 19 rebounds and 3 blocks in a match against the Washington Wizards. He recorded a season-career high 31 points and 11 rebounds in a game they lost 123–116 to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Dwight Howard has been with the Charlotte Hornets since June 20, 2017, playing impressively on his new team and becoming the first Charlotte player with four consecutive 15 rebounds per game since 2007. He played his 1000th career game in Charlotte with 22 points and 16 rebounds in a game his team lost 101-96 to the New Orleans Pelicans. Howard made 81 appearances for Charlotte and averaged 16.6 points.
Dwight Howard was traded with Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets in a swap deal on July 6, 2018. Dwight received a waiver from the Nets immediately after the deal and pitched his tent with Washington Wizards in a new deal he signed on July 12 2018 signed the preseason and also missed the start of the regular season due to health challenges.
He also appeared on the USA national basketball team from March 2005 to June 2008. He was a regular middle starter for the USA team, which recorded a 5-0 win during the pre-World Championship tour. Dwight also helped the team win its bronze medal at FIBA World and the gold medal after 8 years at the Beijing Olympic Championship (2008).
salary and wealth
The 8-time NBA All-Star earns an estimated annual salary of $23.5 million with an endorsement deal of about $3.5 million, though most of his deals have not been renewed due to his decline in form. His combined net worth is estimated at $27 million by Forbes as of 2018.
Family: wife, children
Dwight Howard is not married, he is very single but has joined the celebrity community with baby mamas. He is rumored to have had 8 romantic relationships, all of which were short-lived, and had 5 babies by 5 different women living in different states.
His baby mums’ names are Royce Reed, who gave birth to a boy named Braylon in 2007 before the duo went their separate ways; Hope Alexa (Jayde was born in 2010), Christine Vest (mother of Trey, 2013), Tiffany Render (born Layla) and Mellisa Rios (born David, 2013).
All of his children have a warm relationship with him and spend their vacations together at his home in Atlanta. Also, Dwight constantly features them on his social media handle.
More facts about Dwight Howard
1. He is a philanthropist
Dwight Howard is a philanthropist who has registered his own foundation and has partnered with others to give back to society.
2. Very marketable with about 12 NBA awards
He is an 8-time NBA All-Star, a title he earned back-to-back from 2007 to 2014 before making five All NBA First Team appearances (2008 to 2012) and three NBA Defensive Player Awards ( 2009 to 2011) won. He later earned four-time All NBA Defensive First Team honors (2009-2012). The once hungry basketball player also made his mark as a five-time NBA rebound leader from 2008-2010 and 2012-2013. This is to mention a few of his notable achievements in the NBA.
3. Its size and weight
The champ is a Hulk in the NBA, standing at a staggering 6ft 11in tall and weighing around 120kg.