Dwight Howard Officially Announces Retirement From the NBA

Summary

• The 40-year-old center officially confirms his departure from the game to focus on his family and community initiatives
• Drafted first overall in 2004, the eight-time All-Star leaves behind a legacy anchored by his dominant era and a 2020 championship
• An upcoming documentary is set to reveal the untold stories and challenges he faced throughout his 20-year professional journey

The NBA bids farewell to Dwight Howard as the legendary center officially announces his retirement from professional basketball. Taking to social media, the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame inductee confirmed his permanent departure from the game following an illustrious 20-year career.

Taking to social media on the 12th of the month — a deliberate nod to his iconic jersey number — the 40-year-old confirmed he is permanently hanging up his Superman cape. Despite not playing in the league since his 2021-2022 campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers, the 2004 number one overall pick spent the last few years competing overseas in Taiwan and Puerto Rico. Howard acknowledged the widespread assumption that he had already stepped away, stating that while he still felt he had gas in the tank, the game ultimately made the decision for him.

Across 18 NBA seasons, the big man cultivated an undeniable Hall of Fame resume. He claimed three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards, earned eight All-Star nods, and secured a championship ring with the Lakers in 2020. Moving forward, Howard plans to pour his energy into his family and launch a global initiative centered on random acts of kindness. To cap off his historic run, he also teased an upcoming documentary slated to release later this year, promising to unveil the unvarnished truth of his journey from College Park, Georgia, to global basketball superstardom.

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

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