Dwight David Howard II (born December 8, 1985) is a former NBA player, most recently with the Taoyuan Leopards in the T1 League. An eight-time NBA All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Howard is considered one of the greatest defensive players in history.
He began his career with the Orlando Magic, where he led the team to the 2009 NBA Finals and set numerous records. Howard later played for the Los Angeles Lakers, winning the NBA Finals in 2020, and had stints with multiple NBA teams before moving to Taiwan.
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Dwight Howard Net Worth
Dwight Howard has a net worth of $140 million. At his peak, he earned over $30 million annually from salary and endorsements. In 2013, he was offered a five-year, $118 million deal by the Lakers but chose the Houston Rockets instead. By 2018, he had earned over $190 million in salary.
In 2019, Howard agreed to forgo $2.6 million of his $5.6 million salary for a buyout to join the Lakers, where he earned $247 million in salary and an additional $100 million from endorsements.
Early Life
Dwight Howard was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Dwight Sr. and Sheryl Howard, with strong athletic backgrounds. His father served as a Georgia State Trooper and athletic director at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, while his mother played basketball at Morris Brown College.
Howard, a devout Christian, became passionate about basketball at age nine. At Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, he excelled, averaging 25 points, 18 rebounds, 8.1 blocks, and 3.5 assists as a senior, leading his team to a state title. In 2004, he was named Naismith Prep Player of the Year and co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game.
Career
Dwight Howard skipped college and entered the NBA in 2004, selected by the Orlando Magic. He made an immediate impact, earning All-Rookie honors and quickly becoming the team’s leader. Despite a few playoff disappointments, he led the Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals.
Howard’s career took him to the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, and Washington Wizards. After a brief stint with the Lakers in 2019–2020, Howard’s journey continued internationally with the Taoyuan Leopards in Taiwan, where he was named a T1 All-Star.
Personal life
Dwight Howard has five children with five women. In 2010, he won a defamation lawsuit against Royce Reed, the mother of his oldest son, Braylon, for violating a court order by discussing him publicly. In 2014, police investigated claims of abuse from Reed, but Howard was not charged.
A lover of animals, Howard owns 20 snakes and a farm in Georgia, where he raises livestock and grows vegetables. In 2020, Melissa Rios, the mother of his son David, tragically passed away from an epileptic seizure.
How many teams did Dwight Howard play for?
Dwight Howard played for a total of 9 teams during his NBA career. He started with the Orlando Magic (2004-2012), then played for the Los Angeles Lakers (2012-13), followed by the Houston Rockets (2013-2016), Atlanta Hawks (2016-17), Charlotte Hornets (2017-18), Washington Wizards (2018-19), and returned to the Lakers for two separate stints (2019-20, 2021-22). His final team was the Philadelphia 76ers (2020-21).
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Conclusion
Dwight Howard’s life is a blend of remarkable athletic achievements, personal challenges, philanthropic efforts, and controversies. From his rise as a high school basketball phenom to his status as one of the NBA’s premier players, and through the trials of his personal life and legal issues, Howard’s journey is a testament to the complexities of life in the limelight.
FAQs About Dwight Howard
- Does Dwight Howard have a wife?
- Dwight Howard and Te’a Cooper were married in 2020 but separated in 2021.
- How many kids does Dwight Howard have?
- Dwight Howard has five children with five different women.
- How much does Dwight Howard make?
- His salary is approximately 2.642 million USD.
- How tall is Dwight Howard?
- He stands 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m) tall.
- What is Dwight Howard’s net worth?
- As of 2023, his net worth is estimated at $140 million.
