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Dwight Howard is retiring, and he acknowledged right in his social media post with the news that it might take some people by surprise.
"I know some of you might think I thought he already 'retired' but I didn’t," Howard wrote Thursday on X. "The game retired me! I still had more left to give ! Yeah I did play professionally for 20 years and Im grateful to be able to say that but I can’t lie seeing these other players still going at it at age 40 inspired me to want to keep trying but now I believe my duty will be to pass it down to the next generation."
It's the end of a legendary career for one of the best centers to ever step on a basketball court.
The Orlando Magic drafted the future Hall of Famer with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft out of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. And he lived up to the hype.
Howard was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year for the Magic and led the league in rebounding five times. He only missed seven games total across his first seven years with the Magic. He was always out there, dominating.
In 2007-08, Howard averaged 20.7 points, 14.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.
The next season, he went for 20.6 points, 13.8 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game.
He averaged at least 12 rebounds per game in 11 different seasons.
Howard blocked at least two shots per game in five different seasons.
He put up a double-figure scoring average for his first 15 NBA seasons.
Howard also had a special final chapter when he won an NBA title with the Lakers in the "Bubble" in 2020.
Woke up today on the 12th of this month and I figured it’s time to move on from Superman! Im no super human… I cry ! I struggle! I feel like everyone else. Through the lies, the media and the hate I still show love and Smile Through The Storm.
But now Im taking off the cape and… pic.twitter.com/SyZQAcAeLq
After the Magic, he had three different stints with the Lakers and also played for the Rockets, Hawks, Hornets, Wizards and 76ers.
Since then, Howard has played in Taiwan and also for a number of exhibition teams.
Now, he's hanging up his high-tops for good.
"I'm taking off the cape and retiring from all basketball to pour into my family and give back to communities worldwide," Howard wrote on X.
English (US)