Dwight Howard

Following the impact Howard made in high school, he chose to forego college and opted into the 2004 NBA Draft and the Orlando Magic selected him first overall. Howard finished his rookie season with an average of 12.0 ppg and 10.0 rpg per game, setting several NBA records in the process. He became the youngest player in NBA history to average a double double in the regular season. He also became the youngest player in NBA history to average at least 10.0 rebounds in a season and youngest NBA player ever to record at least 20 rebounds in a game. Howard's importance to the Magic was highlighted when he became the first player in NBA history directly out of high school to start all 82 games during his rookie season. For his feats, Howard was selected to play in the 2005 NBA Got Milk? Rookie Challenge, and was unanimously selected to the All-NBA Rookie First Team. However, he lost out to fellow center Emeka Okafor and guard Ben Gordon for the Rookie of the Year award.

Howard again posted outstanding numbers in his sophomore season. On 15 November, 2005, in a home game at against the Charlotte Bobcats, Howard scored 21 points and 20 rebounds, becoming the youngest player ever to score 20 or more points and 20 or more rebounds. Howard was selected to play on the Sophomore Team in the 2006 Rookie Challenge during the All-Star break, and on 15 April, 2006, he recorded a career-high 26 rebounds against the Philadelphia 76ers. Overall, he averaged 15.8 ppg and 12.5 rpg, ranking second in the NBA in rebounds per game, offensive rebounds and double doubles, and sixth in field goal percentage. Nevertheless, the Magic ended the season with a 36-46 win-loss record and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive season since Howard's arrival.

Howard continued to improve on his numbers in the 2006-07 NBA season and for the third consecutive season, he played in all 82 regular season games. On 1 February, 2007, he received his first NBA All-Star selection as a reserve on the Eastern Conference squad for the 2007 NBA All-Star Game. Howard finished the game with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Less than a week later, he recorded a career-high 32 points against the Toronto Raptors. As the push for playoff spots intensified, Howard was instrumental, recording another career-high 35 points against the Philadelphia Sixers on 14 April, 2007. Under his leadership, the Magic qualified for the 2007 NBA Playoffs as the number eight seed in the Eastern Conference. However, the Magic were swept by the Detroit Pistons in the first round. Howard was named to the All-NBA Third Team at the end of the 2006-07 campaign.

Dwight Howard

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