Magic Announce Dwight Howard News This Week

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Charles Negron | Last updated Mar 26, 2025 2:00 PM ET

Dwight Howard played eight seasons for the Orlando Magic from 2004-2012, the club's first overall selection in the 2004 NBA Draft. The highlight of his career was arguably his time in Orlando, where he led the Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals and still remains the franchise's all-time leader in points (11,435), rebounds (8,072), and blocks (1,344).

The Magic had announced that Howard would be the 13th inductee into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame.

An honor befitting of the six-time All-Star from 2007-2012, five-consecutive All-NBA First Teamer, the most by any Magic player, and three-time Defensive Player of the Year from 2008-2011.

The induction ceremony took place on Monday night, as 19,598 fans piled into the Kia Center in Orlando, Fla., to see the Magic take on the Los Angeles Lakers. This set an all-time attendance record for the Magic.

Howard graciously accepted the honor, claiming that “[Orlando] is my home. It will always and forever be my home.”

Dwight Howard is officially a member of the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame

Congrats, @DwightHoward! pic.twitter.com/1vtipc5c1I
— NBA (@NBA) March 24, 2025

Howard also expressed his strong support for budding star Paolo Banchero, urging him to seek a long career with the Magic and avoid some of the regrets he had himself back in the summer of 2012.

“Shoutout to all my Magic fans,” said the Magic Hall of Famer. "Paolo, don’t leave them, man.”

The franchise player scored 30 points Monday night in a 118-106 victory over the Lakers.

Dwight Howard was an absolute force in the league and the face of the team as he led the Magic to their second-ever Finals appearance. Even with his seemingly messy departure at the tail end of his time in The City Beautiful, he has cemented his legacy and is a fixture in the Orlando community.

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

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