When does a player, especially an NBA player, truly know they’ve achieved something significant? It’s that moment when they slip on the iconic orange jacket and walk down memory lane to deliver their Hall of Fame speech. That moment came for Dwight Howard this past September. But this year had even more special surprises in store for him, and fittingly, they all tied back to where it all began: Atlanta. And right by his side to celebrate every bit of this achievement was his wife, Amy Luciani.

Howard shared a carousel of photos on Instagram from his special day at his alma mater, Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, where he was honored in style. The school hosted a pep rally and celebration, welcoming back the basketball star who went straight from their halls to the NBA. Alongside him was his wife, Amy, to whom he gave a heartfelt shoutout. “Man… full circle moment 🙏🏾💫 From walking these halls at SACA as a kid with a dream… to coming back as a Hall of Famer 🙏🏾🏀 A blessing beyond words. …s/o to my Wife 😍 @amylucianiworld,” he wrote.

One of the slides Howard shared caught our attention—a screenshot of a Google search he had made asking, “When is Dwight Howard Day?” Most would think of November 14, the day set by Los Angeles back in 2012. But fans, mark your calendars: Atlanta has officially declared October 10 as Dwight Howard Day! Talk about having not one, but two days dedicated to you—way to go, Howard!

The SACA event, filled with alums and supporters, honored Howard for his Hall of Fame induction, almost 20 years after he first stepped onto an NBA court. Reflecting on the moment, he wrote about his time at the school:

“I remember sitting in these classrooms, shooting in that same gym, just believing God had something special in store. And today, standing here, I feel nothing but gratitude, love, and purpose.”

Well, why Atlanta? Because that’s his hometown. He went to Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, and his high school career was spectacular. Over 129 games, he averaged 16.6 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 6.3 blocks per game—already impressive numbers. But it was his senior year that truly set him apart. 

Howard dominated on all fronts, putting up 25 points, 18 rebounds, and more than 8 blocks per game, guiding his team to an incredible 31–2 record and a state championship.

Individual accolades also poured in, with Howard claiming nearly every significant honor, including the Naismith Prep Player of the Year and McDonald’s High School Player of the Year.

Howard’s wife, Amy Luciani, also shared a touching moment on Instagram, posting a beautiful back-to-camera shot of the two of them with Howard’s arms wrapped around her. His heartfelt shoutout carried extra weight this year, given the brief break the couple experienced earlier.

They had tied the knot in February, keeping much of their relationship private, and Amy later shared their wedding photo with a simple caption: “You & me.”

A few months later, rumors of a split began swirling, and Amy confirmed, “It is true…still wrapping my head around a lot.” But the story didn’t end there. The couple eventually reconciled, sharing cozy, love-filled images on Instagram. The post read, “Quitting was too easy. Aht ahtttttt enemy!” while another slide said, “Love is literally the whole point.” 

So it seems Howard is in a happy place right now, both professionally and personally, and is looking beyond just hoops and hardwood.

Dwight Howard’s big moves beyond the hardwood

It’s been three years since we last saw Dwight Howard don an NBA jersey, but that doesn’t mean he stepped away from basketball. He became a part-owner of a professional team in Taiwan and even starred in Ice Cube’s BIG3 league this year.

Beyond the court, he’s been exploring a range of business ventures. And now, it seems the NBA’s Superman is ready for a whole new challenge: the world of entertainment.

Howard just signed with Innovative Artists Entertainment, a move that’s already generating buzz. The partnership comes through IA’s Broadcast Group, led by Babette Perry, who focuses on helping sports stars cross into entertainment.

Perry celebrated the news on Instagram, writing, “It’s official 👏🏀🏆 I am so excited to welcome our ‘Superman’ Dwight Howard to the IA team. 🌟 The sky’s the limit! 👊 @dwighthoward.” Howard couldn’t resist joining the excitement, dropping a fiery “🔥🔥🔥” in the comments. 

He’ll continue working with The Gym Agency and his business partner Mujaahid Abdul-Baasit through their production and media company, Out of the Box, exploring film, TV, and digital media projects.

And make no mistake, Howard knows his way around a camera. From appearing in movies like Just Wright and The Equalizer 2 to TV shows such as Black-ish, Never Have I Ever, and The Odd Couple, he’s no stranger to the screen.

He’s also danced on Dancing With The Stars, competed on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, performed as a purple octopus on The Masked Singer, and hosts the podcast Above The Rim with D12, where he shares his thoughts on sports, culture, and life beyond the hardwood.

With an estimated net worth of $120 million in 2025, Howard is making sure his post-NBA life is just as dynamic as his career on the court, and now, with Innovative Artists, he’s aiming to take his brand to new heights across TV, film, and media.