Dwight Howard has been among the most prominent players in the NBA for over a decade. After a successful run with the Orlando Magic, he spent some time with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, and Atlanta Hawks. And now, after much deliberation, he's decided to move on from the NBA and play for the Taiwan Taoyuan Leopards.
Before his public decision to play for the Leopards and In a statement released to the media, he said: "I've been blessed to have had a long and successful career in the NBA. But after much thought and consideration, I've decided that it's time for me to move on from basketball. I'm grateful for everything the game has given me, and I'll always cherish the memories I've made with my teammates and friends. But I'm ready to embark on a new journey, and I'm excited for what the future holds."
Taiwan's professional basketball league is set to expand from eight to 16 teams, with the addition of eight new franchises. The new teams will be based in Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Taoyuan, and Hsinchu. The move comes as the sport continues to grow in popularity in Taiwan, with the number of registered players increasing by nearly 20% in the past year. The expanded league will provide more opportunities for Taiwanese and recruited players to showcase their talents on a national stage. It is sure to be a boon for the country's basketball fans.
Dwight Howard is a four-time NBA All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year. He is one of the league's most dominant big men, and his athleticism and shot-blocking ability make him a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court. Howard was a free agent, making him one of the most sought-after players on the market. Howard is still in his prime and has already demonstrated that he can elevate any team's performance in the playoffs.
Photo Courtesy: Flickr.com (Erik Drost) by Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)