Howard officially announces retirement: It's time to take off the Superman cape and will hold a tour to thank fans.

On March 13 Beijing time, Dwight Howard posted a lengthy statement on social media, formally announcing his retirement.

Howard was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft, won an NBA championship in the 2019-20 season, was named Defensive Player of the Year three times (2009, 2010, 2011), selected to the NBA All-First Team five times (2008-2012), chosen for the All-Defensive First Team four times (2009-2012), made eight All-Star appearances (2007-2014), became the rebounding leader five times (2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013), and was the blocks leader twice (2009, 2010). He was also a gold medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025.

Howard's NBA career spanned teams including the Magic, Lakers, Rockets, Hawks, Hornets, Wizards, Lakers again, 76ers, and Lakers once more. He had already been inducted into the Hall of Fame but hadn't formally announced retirement; today he finally made the decision, with the lengthy statement as follows—

Today is the 12th of the month, I woke up and finally realized—it's time to shed the Superman identity! I am not Superman... I cry! I struggle! I am flesh and blood like everyone else. Amid lies, media, and malice, I still chose to love, smiling through the storm.

But now, I will take off the cape, officially retire from basketball, focus on my family, and also give back to communities worldwide. I know some may think I had already "retired," but I hadn't... basketball retired me first! I could have given more!

Yes, I played professional basketball for 20 years, and I am grateful. But honestly, seeing other players still competing at 40 also inspired me to keep going. Now I believe my mission is to pass the torch to the next generation. So, thank you to all the fans and supporters throughout this journey.

I deeply love and immensely appreciate you—without you, I wouldn't be who I am today! And thank you to those who doubted me, hated me, were two-faced, those who invaded my life and tried to destroy me. Because every time you struck, you only made me stronger.

When my documentary releases this year, the world will know the whole truth! You will see how this sheltered boy from College Park, Georgia, who attended the same school from kindergarten through high school and then entered the NBA directly, was exploited by this world.

But even after all this, I still strive to keep smiling, because I never had the chance for a farewell tour, so I decided to hold a tour—not for fans to thank me, but for me to thank them. Thank you for the years of support, for giving me reasons to smile in the career I love. From now on, every 12th of the month will be D12 Day, I will travel to cities around the world doing good deeds for strangers, giving them a reason to smile.

Tell me, where in the world would you like to see me appear with a heart of giving back?