Dwight Howard, an eight-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year (2009-11), has signed to play for the Los Angeles Riot of the Big3, the three-on-three basketball league co-founded by Ice Cube.
Aside from being a Hall of Famer, Howard was named as one of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2025 class, along with Carmelo Anthony, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and others just a few days ago.
It seems history isn’t always far from Dwight Howard.
He was the first pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic and also played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, and Philadelphia 76ers.
Howard won an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2020. He is the last player to be drafted first directly out of high school and is also a part of The Athletic’s NBA 75.
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According to a statement released via the BIG3 league. Dwight Howard stated:
“I’m excited to join Ice Cube and the Big3 — especially right after being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
“Words can’t describe how grateful I am for these opportunities.
I can’t wait to join the L.A. Riot and try to bring another championship to the city of L.A. But the ultimate goal I have is to help the league go global.”
Howard’s Big3 team will be coached by former NBA player Nick Young.
His teammates will include former NBA guard Jordan Crawford and former USC standout Elijah Stewart.
Ice Cube, who is also the league’s CEO, also said in a statement that
“He’s a perfect fit for the league, not just because of his athleticism and size but also due to our shared desire to grow the game of basketball around the world.
“We are honored that he has chosen to bring his game and star power to the Big3.
I look forward to seeing him challenge our three-on-three stars this summer and seeing if he can win himself another championship.”
In other news, the Big3 is adding former NBA players Montrezl Harrell and Wesley Johnson to the roster this season, which begins in June.
Harrell was the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2020 with the LA Clippers.
Also played for Houston, the Lakers, Washington, Charlotte, and Philadelphia.
Johnson was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the fourth pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.
Dwight also played for the Phoenix Suns, Lakers, Clippers, Wizards, and New Orleans Pelicans.
The Big3 is starting its eighth season of summer basketball.
The league is moving from a touring model, with teams having no home base, to a league with eight teams with home cities.
