Dwight Howard Hangs Up the Ball: NBA Legend Retires After 18 Years

Dwight Howard Hangs Up His Sneakers: End of an Era in the NBA

The legendary center Dwight Howard has officially announced his retirement from professional basketball, marking the end of an illustrious 18-season career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Known by his nickname “Superman”, Howard shared the news through his social media, expressing his decision to “take off the cape” and close this chapter of his sporting life.

Dwight Howard announces his retirement

At 40 years old, Howard leaves an indelible legacy in basketball. He was selected eight times for the NBA All-Star Game and was part of the All-NBA teams on eight occasions, including five selections on the First Team.

Now I take off my cape and retire from basketball to dedicate more time to my family and give back to communities around the world.
Dwight Howard

His defensive excellence earned him three Defensive Player of the Year awards, solidifying him as one of the best defenders of his generation.

Orlando Magic
Houston Rockets
Los Angeles Lakers
Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Hornets
Washington Wizards
Philadelphia 76ers

One of the highlights of his career came in 2020, when he was crowned NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers. In addition, he led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals in 2009. Howard was the first pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, after attending Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy high school. His impact on the league was immediate, becoming a five-time rebounding leader and two-time blocks leader. During his career in the NBA, he accumulated 19,485 points, 14,627 rebounds, and 2,228 blocks, with averages of 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game. His last NBA game was in 2022. Subsequently, he played in Taiwan’s T1 league with the Taoyuan Leopards and participated in the BIG3 basketball league. In 2025, his legacy was recognized with his inclusion in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.