Dwight Howard revealed Monday night that he has chosen where to continue his playing career after spending the last few months as a free agent. Longtime supporters of the potential Hall of Fame center might find the location a little unexpected.
Howard announced on Instagram that he was leaving the country to play for the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League in Taiwan. Since concluding his third stint with the Lakers, where he won his first NBA championship in 2020, at the end of the 2021–22 season, the eight-time All-Star hasn’t played.
I have some wonderful news to share with you, Taiwan. In the video announcing the news, Howard said, “Superman is in the building!”
The 36-year-old Howard added in the video’s description that this will be his third trip to Taiwan after having already been there twice and that it is one of his objectives to “spread love & put smiles on people’s faces thru basketball.”
“As you can see by the posters, I still have hanging on my walls from my first two visits to Taiwan; I have always liked the enthusiasm I experienced there! My people in Taiwan have your posters ready to welcome yours, and I’m prepared to enjoy life by playing the sport I love in front of various people who adore me.
In the Leopards’ second season and the second year of the T1 league, Howard, who turns 37 on December 8, will add a great name to the marquee. One of the six teams in the professional league, Taoyuan, has recorded an 8-22 record in one season.
Howard, the first overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft, has won 3 NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards and been selected for multiple All-NBA teams. Throughout his illustrious career, which has included stops with the Magic, Rockets, Hornets, Hawks, Wizards, and 76ers, Howard has averaged 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.