Dwight Howard named first-ballot Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, joins 2025 class

Dwight Howard has been elected as a first-ballot member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Howard played in the NBA from 2004-23.

In illustrious career, Howard was a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA First-Team selection, four-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection, three-time rebounding leader, two-time blocks leader and the 2008 Slam Dunk Contest champion. He also a one-time All-NBA Second-Team member and two-time All-NBA Third-Team member.

Howard’s best playing years were during his 2004-12 stint with the Orlando Magic. The 6-foot-10 star didn’t waste any time stamping his impression on the league. He averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds per game during his rookie season, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to average a double-double.

Howard’s excellence in Orlando culminated in him leading the team to the NBA Finals in the 2008-09 season. However, the Magic weren’t able to upset the Los Angeles Lakers and ultimately fell 4-1 in the series.

Just three years later, Howard was traded to the Lakers after he had to undergo surgery for a herniated disc in his back. Although Howard found some success in Los Angeles, he never again reached the individual heights he accomplished in Orlando.

Howard never played for a team longer than four seasons at a time again and played for seven total NBA teams during his career. After Howard wasn’t able to secure a spot on an NBA roster following the 2021-22 season, he took his talents overseas and played for Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League in Taiwan. Most recently, Howard played for Taiwan Mustangs in The Asian Tournament.

This isn’t the first time Howard has made Hall of Fame news this year. In March, Howard was inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame.

“I just want to say thank you again to the Magic, and to all the fans for literally everything,” Howard said after the ceremony. “I really grew up here … This feeling that I get every time I come back. To now be a part of the Magic Hall of Fame, it’s unbelievable.”

Dwight Howard never played at the collegiate level. After earning 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 Award, Howard opted to forgo college and declare for the NBA Draft.

The Magic selected him with the first overall pick. Although some skeptics questioned the Magic’s decision to draft a high school player, Howard proved them wrong year by year with his fantastic career that will now be immortalized in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.