Dwight Howard

Dwight David Howard (born December 8, 1985 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a professional basketball player. He plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). His position is center. The Magic chose Howard with the first pick overall in the 2004 NBA Draft. Howard did not play college basketball. He entered the draft right out of high school.  Howard is considered one of the greatest rebounders and defensive players in the history of basketball.  He is the NBA's active leader in offensive rebounds, total rebounds and blocked shots.

Career highlights
Howard has been chosen as the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year three times, and won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2008.  Howard was also named to the All-NBA First Team three times, was an All-Star five times, and won a gold medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics.

From roughly 2008 to 2012, Howard was widely considered both the best rebounder, best defensive and center basketball player in the world, as highlighted by leading the league in rebounding almost every season and winning a league record three consecutive NBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

He showed frustration at the end of 2011-12 NBA season and demanded a trade to either the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers or Dallas Mavericks. On August 10, 2012, he was traded from the Magic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a trade that also involved the Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets.

References

Category:1985 births
Category:Living people
Category:African-American basketball players
Category:American basketball players
Category:American Christians
Category:Atlanta Hawks players
Category:Centers (basketball)
Category:Charlotte Hornets players
Category:Los Angeles Lakers players
Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Category:National Basketball Association high school draftees
Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States
Category:Orlando Magic players
Category:Philadelphia 76ers players
Category:Power forwards
Category:Sportspeople from Atlanta
Category:Washington Wizards players