Former 76ers, Lakers center announces retirement from basketball originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Former Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard has officially announced his retirement from basketball.
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Howard played with the Sixers during the 2020-21 season, and he had two separate stints with the Lakers during the ’19-20 and ’21-’22 seasons.
In addition to his time with those teams, Howard also suited up for the Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards over the course of his career.
Howard’s last NBA action came back in April of 2022 with the Lakers.
“… 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 on Instagram.
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“Yeah I did play professionally for 20 years and Im grateful to be able to say that but I can’t lie seeing these other players still going at it at age 40 inspired me to want to keep trying but now I believe my duty will be to pass it down to the next generation.”
Howard received eight All-Star and five All-NBA First-Team nods over the course of his well-decorated career. He was a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and a four-time All-Defensive First-Team member.
He led the league in rebounding five times and blocks twice. He also won a championship with the Lakers in 2020 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025.
Overall, Howard authored an epic career that spanned nearly two decades. And now it’s officially over.
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