Dwight Howard Celebrated in Springfield as 2025 Hall of Fame Class Inductee
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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Dwight Howard officially entered basketball’s most exclusive club on September 6, 2025, when the eight-time All-Star was enshrined during the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony at Symphony Hall.
Accompanied on stage by fellow legendary big men Patrick Ewing, Robert Parish, Dennis Rodman and Shaquille O’Neal, the 39-year-old center thanked family, friends and former teammates while reflecting on a career that began with the Orlando Magic and culminated in a 2020 championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Career résumé highlighted
Howard’s Hall credentials include three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards (2009-11), seven All-Star selections with Orlando, five rebounding titles, two blocks titles and five All-Defensive Team honors. He led the Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals, where they fell to the Lakers, and later won his lone ring in his second stint with Los Angeles.
Memorable moments from the podium
• Howard opened his speech by acknowledging his parents, declaring, “Your son is in the Hall of Fame.”
• He credited former Magic coach Stan Van Gundy for instilling a “stay ready” mentality and punctuated the thanks with a playful impression.
• Spotting LeBron James in the audience, Howard joked, “Uh oh, did I wake up a monster in here?” drawing laughter from the crowd.
• He also praised O’Neal for settling past differences and supporting him at the ceremony.
Orange jackets and class photo
Earlier in the day, Howard and the rest of the 2025 class, which includes Carmelo Anthony, received the traditional orange Hall of Fame jackets during a private gathering, marking the first official moment of their induction weekend.
The celebration offered a full-circle ending to Howard’s complex relationship with the Lakers. After an uneasy first tenure in 2012-13, his return seven years later provided key playoff minutes that helped the franchise secure its 17th championship banner — a contribution that turned him into a fan favorite at Crypto.com Arena.
Although Howard was left off the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, Saturday’s ceremony ensured his place among the sport’s immortals.
Source: LakersNation.com
