Dwight Howard Shares Emotional Reaction to Basketball HOF Induction in New Video

Former NBA star center Dwight Howard has been named a first-ballot Basketball Hall of Famer, and he shared his emotional reaction upon nearing the news during an appearance on ESPN's College GameDay Saturday.

Howard is part of a Hall of Fame class of 2025 that includes Carmelo Anthony, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles, Billy Donovan, Micky Arison and Danny Crawford.

The man nicknamed "D12" is also getting in as a member of the Olympic gold-winning 2008 U.S. men’s basketball team, the famous "Redeem Team" which avenged Team USA's bronze medal performance four years prior.

Howard averaged 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game for his career. He was an eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA player and three-time Defensive Player of the Year who also earned Olympic gold with Team USA at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.

Howard, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft, led the Orlando Magic to the 2009 Eastern Conference title. He was also a key reserve on the 2019-20 NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Howard will be inducted into the Hall during enshrinement weekend on Sept. 5-6.