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Major Dwight Howard News Emerges on Friday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonathan D Adams | Last updated Apr 5, 2025 7:56 AM ET

Former Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard has had quite a stretch of good news in recent weeks. Howard was elected into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame on March 24.

During the ceremony, Howard spoke glowingly about his time with the Magic, and hinted about regretting forcing his way to the Los Angeles Lakers. Now, Howard is headed for an even bigger Hall of Fame.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Friday that Howard has been elected into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

"Dwight Howard has been elected as a first-ballot member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025, sources tell ESPN," Charania detailed in a message on X on Friday.

"Howard was an 8-time All-Star, 8-time All-NBA, 3-time Defensive Player of Year, a 2020 NBA champion, and won one Olympic gold medal with Team USA."

As Howard was in Orlando for the team's Hall of Fame ceremony, the longtime NBA center revealed some regret about how his time with the Magic ended. Howard also had a message for Magic star Paolo Banchero.

"Shoutout to all the Magic fans," Howard said on March 24, via Orlando Sentinel's Jason Beede. "I know I disappointed a lot of you guys and in some ways, I disappointed myself.

"But that's a whole part of life. Every day we learn, we grow. Thank you guys for supporting me (during) all my beautiful years here. Paolo, don't leave them, man. Don't leave them."

Howard spent his first eight NBA seasons with Orlando. The big man was named to six consecutive All-Star teams and led the Magic to the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009.

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

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