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Dwight Howard

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Dwight Howard
Orlando Magic
PositionPower forward/Center
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1985-12-08) December 8, 1985 (age 38)
Atlanta, Georgia
NationalityUSA
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High schoolSouthwest Atlanta Christian Academy
NBA draft2004: 1st overall
Selected by the Orlando Magic
Playing career2004–present
Career highlights and awards
2004 Naismith Prep Player of the Year
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at NBA.com
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at Basketball-Reference.com

Dwight David Howard (born December 8, 1985 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American basketball center for the Orlando Magic of the NBA. Nicknamed "Thunder"[1], is a rising young talent in the NBA and well known for his proficiency in rebounding.

High school

Howard played at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, a private academy with one of the best high school basketball programs. He was awarded a number of accolades in high school, including 2003-04 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

NBA career

Foregoing college, Howard opted into the 2004 NBA Draft and the Orlando Magic selected him first overall. In his first season, Howard had a season-high of 29 points on March 16, 2005 against the Los Angeles Clippers. He finished the season with an average of 12 points a game and 10 rebounds per game, becoming one of only a few rookies (and the youngest ever) in NBA history to average a double-double. At 19 years of age, Howard is the youngest player in NBA history to average at least 10 rebounds in a season. In addition, he grabbed 20 rebounds in three separate games, becoming the youngest NBA player ever to record at least 20 rebounds. He also became the only player to start every game after making the leap from prep to pro.

Howard was selected to play in the 2005 NBA Got Milk? Rookie Challenge, and was also unanimously selected to the All-NBA Rookie First Team. Howard's rookie season was a learning experience for him, which is why his father chose a mentor, his cousin, Jered Shoychet, to live with him and act as a role model while he is off the court. He was also the latest in a long line of Clifford Ray's pupils as a rookie; the then-Orlando assistant has since gone on to the Boston Celtics, where he mentors two other young big men, Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins. Howard is predicted to grow as a student of the game and mature as one of the league's biggest men who dominate the paint.

Howard's second season started phenomenally as well. On November 15, 2005, in a home game at the TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando, Florida against the Charlotte Bobcats, Howard scored 21 points and 20 rebounds, becoming the youngest player ever to score 20 or more points and 20 or more rebounds. Today, Howard remains one of the league's more popular and young stars.

On April 15, 2006, in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Howard pulled down a career-high 26 rebounds to go with 28 points.

Howard's rebounding can be attributed to his athleticism and his tenacity around the rim. For the 2005-06 season, he averaged 12.5 rebounds per game, ranking him second in the NBA in rebounds per game and first in total rebounds. He is also third in double-doubles in the 2005-06 season.

On March 27, 2006 the Orlando Magic picked up a team option in Howard's contract for the 2007-08 season along with teammate Jameer Nelson.

On January 10, 2007, Howard registered a career high 30 points to go along with 25 rebounds in a 91-76 win over the Golden State Warriors.[2] By contrast, the entire Warriors starting five grabbed a total of 24 rebounds.[2]

On February 1, 2007, Howard received his first NBA All-Star selection, as reserve on the Eastern Conference squad for the 56th NBA All-Star Game.

On February 17, 2007 during the Rising Stars Slam Dunk Contest, Howard completed an alley-oop dunk from teammate Jameer Nelson during which he also slapped a sticker onto the backboard which reached 12 feet and 6 inches, according to the measurement of Nelson. Although the dunk was regarded as one of the most original of the night, the dunk failed to impress the judges.[3] The sticker Howard stuck onto the backboard was an image of his own smiling face with a paraphrase of Philippians 4:13- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." The exact inscription read "All things through Christ Phil: 4:13"[4]

Personal life

Howard is a devout Christian and attracted some controversy when he talked about a dream he had, in which the Christian cross was added to the NBA logo. His Christianity caused some critics to question his toughness in the NBA, saying he would not be willing to 'bang' in the post.

Howard is developing a reputation as a jokester. His favorite movie is "Finding Nemo".

NBA All-Stars Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan gushed about Howard's amazing physique and what they see as seemingly unlimited potential.Duncan: "He is so developed...He has so much promise and I am glad that I will be out of the league when he is peaking." Garnett: "That kid (Howard) is a freak of nature, man...I was nowhere near that physically talented. I wasn't that gifted, as far as body and physical presence." [5]

Unlike some players having attended private schools, where questions have arisen regarding "recruiting", Howard was involved in the Southwest Christian program since his preschool years.

Howard appeared as a special guest on an episode of the ABC series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition that aired April 2, 2006, in which 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.

Career highlights

  • NBA All-Star: 2007
  • NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2005
  • NBA regular-season leader, total rebounds: 2006 (1,022)
  • Youngest player in NBA history to record at least 20 rebounds in one game (20, December 1, 2004 vs. Toronto Raptors) [6]
  • Youngest player in NBA history to average a double-double in points (12.0) and rebounds (10.0) for a season (2004-05) [7]
  • Youngest player in NBA history to average at least 10 rebounds (10.0) for a season (2004-05) [7]
  • First player in NBA history directly out of high school to start all 82 games during his rookie season (2004-05) [8]
  • Youngest player in NBA history (19 years, 342 days) with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in one game (21 points and 20 rebounds, November 15, 2005 vs. Charlotte Bobcats) [7]
  • Career-high 32 points vs Toronto Raptors on February 7, 2007.[9]
  • Career-high 26 rebounds vs Philadelphia 76ers on April 15, 2006 [10]
  • Named to USA Senior Men National Team for 2006 FIBA World Championship

References

  1. ^ ESPN The Magazine: NEXT
  2. ^ a b Howard has 30 points, 25 boards in win over Warriors
  3. ^ Just a 42 for 12'6" sticker slap? Bigs get no respect
  4. ^ Dwight Howard Stickers It To The Man
  5. ^ Chat Transcript: Dwight Howard
  6. ^ MAGIC 129 RAPTORS 108
  7. ^ a b c Howard’s 20/20
  8. ^ NBA.com: Dwight Howard
  9. ^ Raptors win sixth straight home game
  10. ^ http://www.nba.com/games/20060415/PHIORL/boxscore.html?nav=page
Preceded by NBA first overall draft pick
2004 NBA Draft 		Succeeded by
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