Dwight Howard has been selected as the first Barot member of the 2025 Nicemith Basketball Hall of Fame Class, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Friday.
Howard is an eight-time All-Star, eight All-NBA, three-time Defensive Player of the Year and 2020 NBA champion, and one Olympic gold medal in Team USA.
The 2025 class will be announced at the NCAA Final Four in San Antonio on Saturday.
Dwight Howard, an eight-time All-Star and three-time defensive player of the year, led the Orlando Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals, but won his only championship with the Lakers during the 2019-20 season. Joe Murphy/nbae via Getty Images
Howard averaged 15.7 points and 11.8 rebounds in 18 NBA seasons with the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizard and the Philadelphia 76ers.
A remarkable defensive figure in his time, the number one in magic in the 2004 draft, Howard won three straight NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards from 2009 to 2011.
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He led the magic to the 2009 NBA Finals, winning his only championship with the Lakers during the 2019-20 pandemic-affected 2019-20 season.
Howard is also remembered for his 2008 victory at the Slam Dunk Contest at the All-Star Weekend in New Orleans. The Magic Star is dressed in a Superman outfit and features a cape.
He is scheduled to participate in the 2025 class, sources told ESPN on Wednesday. Other finalists include male players Marquez Johnson and Buck Williams, female players Jennifer Azi, Sue Bird, Sylvia Fouls, Maya Moore, Billy Donovan coaches, Mark Minority, Jerry Welsh, umpire Danny Crawford and the 2008 US Olympic men’s basketball team.
Enshriting Weekend will begin on September 5th at Mohegan Sun, Connecticut, and will feature chip-off celebrities and award galas, including the 2025 class jacket and ring presentation and the annual Hall of Fame Awards. The enshriting ceremony will take place on September 6th at the Springfield, Massachusetts Hall of Fame.
