NBA news: Dwight Howard finally earns Hall of Fame enshrinement
Dwight Howard, one of the most dominant centers of his era, has officially been selected to join the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
After being left out of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, an omission that surprised many, Howard now receives the ultimate recognition.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo commemorates Dwight Howard’s stellar career.
The eight-time All-Star headlines the 2025 Hall of Fame class, which also features Carmelo Anthony, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles, Miami Heat executive Micky Arison, longtime referee Dan Crawford, and Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan.
The legendary 2008 United States Men’s Olympic team, the “Redeem Team” will also be honored.
Dwight Howard’s career in perspective
Howard entered the league in 2004 as the first overall draft pick by the Orlando Magic.
He quickly became a force, known for his athleticism, rebounding, and rim protection. His career averages of 15.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game place him in elite company, with only a handful of players in NBA history able to match those numbers, all of whom are Hall of Famers.
Howard was an eight-time All-NBA honouree, a five-time rebounding champion, and a two-time leader in blocked shots.
He remains the only player to win the Defensive Player of the Year award three years in a row, a streak from 2009 to 2011.
In 2020, he added the missing piece to his résumé when he won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers during the bubble, in Orlando.
Achievements and challenges
At his peak, Howard was the most dominant big man in the league.
From 2007 to 2014, he made the All-Star team every season, anchoring the Orlando Magic to a Finals appearance in 2009. Statistically, he ranks 10th all-time in rebounds and 13th in blocked shots.
Only Elvin Hayes has finished a career with a similar blend of points, rebounds, and defensive production.
However, the second half of Howard’s 18-year career was less stable. After leaving Orlando, he played for several teams including the Lakers, Rockets, Hawks, Hornets, Wizards, and 76ers before finishing his career overseas.
While his early years defined his legacy, his journeyman stage often overshadowed his prime in public discussions.
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A place among legends
Howard joins a celebrated class of 2025.
Carmelo Anthony, who is being inducted both individually and as part of the Redeem Team, shares the spotlight. On the women’s side, icons Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and Sylvia Fowles bring an unparalleled legacy of WNBA dominance, with all three ranked among the top 10 players in league history.
This year’s enshrinement also honours leaders off the court.
Micky Arison, who helped build the Miami Heat into a modern dynasty, Dan Crawford, who officiated more than 2,000 NBA games, and Billy Donovan, a two-time NCAA champion coach, will also claim their places in Springfield.
Ceremony details
The enshrinement ceremony is set to take place on Saturday, September 6, in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The weekend begins with a celebration and awards gala on Friday, followed by the official induction ceremony on Saturday.
A red carpet event will precede the ceremony, giving fans a chance to see some of the game’s greatest figures celebrated.
Cementing his legacy
For years Howard asked a simple question: if his numbers matched those already in the Hall of Fame, why not him?
That question has now been answered. His longevity, statistical dominance, and ultimate championship ring secures his place among the greatest to ever play.
No matter the criticisms about his later years, Howard’s enshrinement confirms that his legacy belongs in the history books of basketball.
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