Dwight Howard is set to become the 13th inductee into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame, as announced by CEO Alex Martins. The induction ceremony will take place on Monday, March 24, at 3:45 p.m. at the Kia Center, near the Orlando Magic Fan Experience.
In addition to this prestigious honor, Howard will also be recognized later that evening during the Magic’s matchup against the L.A. Lakers. The game tips off at 7 p.m., and fans can secure their seats by visiting OrlandoMagic.com or calling 407-89-MAGIC.
A Legacy Cemented in Orlando Magic History
“Dwight Howard left an undeniable imprint on the history of the Orlando Magic,” Martins said. “From being the first overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, to our trip to the 2009 NBA Finals, Dwight’s work helped us achieve great success during his eight seasons in a Magic uniform, both on the court and in the community. We are looking forward to inducting Dwight into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame.”
Howard, who was the first overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, spent eight seasons (2004-12) with the Magic. He played in 621 regular-season games, starting in 620 of them, and maintained an impressive average of 18.4 points, 13 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.16 blocks, and 1.01 steals per game, all while shooting 57.7% from the field.
His postseason performances were equally remarkable. Howard appeared in 57 playoff games, averaging 19.9 points, 14.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 2.77 blocks per game, with an outstanding 60% shooting accuracy. He played a pivotal role in leading the Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals and the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals.
Accolades and Achievements
Howard’s tenure with the Magic was decorated with numerous accolades. He earned All-NBA First Team honors for five straight seasons (2007-12), the most by any player in franchise history, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2006-07. In 2009-10, he became the first unanimous All-NBA First Team selection in franchise history.
As a defensive powerhouse, Howard made history as the first NBA player to win the Defensive Player of the Year award three years in a row (2008-11). He was also named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team four times (2008-12) and the Second Team once (2007-08).
Howard’s dominance extended to the All-Star stage, where he was selected six consecutive times (2007-12), leading all vote-getters in 2009 and 2012. He made an immediate impact as a rookie, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2004-05. Additionally, he was named NBA Player of the Month six times and Player of the Week 18 times, both franchise records.
Beyond his on-court prowess, Howard was a dedicated community leader. He received the Rich and Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award a record six times (2004-05, 2007-12) for his contributions to making a positive impact off the court.
A Lasting Impact on Orlando Magic History
Howard remains the Magic’s all-time leader in several categories, including points scored (11,435), rebounds (8,072), blocked shots (1,344), free throws made (3,366), free throws attempted (5,727), and minutes played (22,471). He also ranks among the franchise’s top players in games played (third, 621), field goals made (third, 4,034), steals (fourth, 626), and field goals attempted (fourth, 6,988).
Adding another milestone to his legacy, Howard is a finalist for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
A Prestigious Honor
The Orlando Magic Hall of Fame was established on April 9, 2014, with the inaugural inductees being Magic co-founder Pat Williams and former player and community ambassador Nick Anderson. Howard now joins an elite group of honorees, including Shaquille O’Neal (2015), Rich DeVos (2016), Anfernee Hardaway (2017), Jimmy Hewitt (2017), Tracy McGrady (2018), David Steele (2019), Darrell Armstrong (2020), John Gabriel (2022), Brian Hill (2022), and Dennis Scott (2023).
Located on the terrace level of the Kia Center near the Orlando Magic Fan Experience, the Hall of Fame celebrates the players, coaches, and executives who have shaped the franchise’s storied history. It serves as a bridge connecting Magic fans to the past while honoring those who have left a lasting impact on the team.
With his induction into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame, Dwight Howard’s legacy as one of the greatest players in franchise history is officially cemented, ensuring his contributions to the team and the city of Orlando will never be forgotten.