Dwight Howard Reportedly Elected to 2025 Basketball HOF Class with Carmelo Anthony

Former NBA superstar Dwight Howard was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2025, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Howard earned the honor during the first year his name appeared on the ballot.

The eight-time All-Star was previously named one of 17 Hall of Fame finalists on Feb. 14 and will join Carmelo Anthony as a member of the 2025 class.

Howard was selected by the Orlando Magic with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft. He played for seven teams across his 18-year career including the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and Washington Wizards.

The center helped lead the Magic to a playoff appearance in his third season with his combination of rebounding, rim protection and athletic finishing ability around the basket.

Howard became the first player in NBA history to win Defensive Player of the Year honors in three straight seasons, doing so from 2008-11 with the Magic.

He also led the league in rebounding during five separate years of his career, pacing the NBA in blocks per game throughout two of those seasons.

Howard owns career averages of 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 58.7 percent from the field.

The 39-year-old repeatedly stepped up in the playoffs during his career, leading Orlando to a 2009 NBA Finals appearance. Howard also won a championship with Los Angeles in 2020 and secured an Olympic gold medal in 2008.

He last played for the Lakers during their 2021-22 campaign.

Howard ranks No. 10 on the NBA's all-time rebounding list, while his 2,228 blocks rank No. 13 on the league's all-time leaderboard.

Now, he's reportedly set to join Anthony as a member of the 2025 Hall of Fame class and will be officially inducted on Sept. 6.