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Dwight Howard officially announces his retirement from basketball

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Mar 12, 2026 2:39 PM ET

Dwight Howard, also known as “Superman”, is officially retiring from the game of basketball.

Howard last played in the NBA in 2021-22 as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, and he then spent time in the Taiwanese League playing for the Taoyuan Leopards.

However, on Thursday, Howard revealed he is officially retiring from basketball to spend more time with his family.

“But now Im taking off the cape and retiring from all basketball to pour into my family and give back to communities worldwide. I know some of you might think I thought he already “retired” but I didn’t… the game retired me! I still had more left to give!” Howard wrote as part of a lengthy post.

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
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) March 12, 2026

Last April, Howard was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

His best years came with the Orlando Magic, the team that selected him first overall in the 2004 NBA Draft, and he also won an NBA title with the Lakers in 2020 during the bubble season.

Howard was traded to the Lakers in the summer of 2012, but he joined the Houston Rockets in the summer of 2013.

Howard also played for the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers and Washington Wizards.

At the end of his announcement, Howard revealed that he will travel to different cities on the 12th of each month and do “acts of kindness for random people to give them a reason to Smile.”

Howard’s NBA career finishes with eight All-Star appearances, eight All-NBA nominations, five All-Defensive team honors, three Defensive Player of the Year awards and a two-time block champion, along with his one NBA ring.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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