Dwight Howard made his first trip to Charlotte since his trade from Atlanta – and it was to start a Boys and Girls Club.
The Starmount Academy of Excellence received $100,000 from Howard for the operational expenses to begin a Boys and Girls Club at the elementary school. Howard made his initial appearance in the city at the kickoff event on Thursday. Howard challenged students to read two books before the Hornets’ regular-season opener to receive tickets to a game.
The Atlanta native is about to begin his 14th season in the NBA. The center played for his hometown Hawks last season but was traded to the Hornets in the offseason after just one year.
Howard said he is looking forward to the “best” part of his career.
Howard was asked by the Charlotte Observer about his approach to the season after many social media posts that touted his new start in a new city.
“Just this opportunity,” Howard said. “This is an opportunity for myself to really get back everything that has been, I would say, taken away. I’m not too much worried about the naysayers, rankings and stuff like that. Just the hearts of the people. I’ve always been the same type of person, giving back in the community and doing whatever I can. I think a lot of that has been lost with some of the scrutiny and things that have to do with basketball. So, I’m in a much better place, mentally, physically and spiritually than I have been in a couple years. I’m really looking forward to this season. Super excited. Been thinking about this opportunity since the time Mike (Michael Jordan) called me. I think this is going to be great. This is going to be better than my first couple years in the league. This part of my career will be the best. So, I’m looking forward to it.”
Howard signed with the Hawks as a free agent last summer. He spent an up-and-down year in his return. Howard averaged 13.5 points and 12.7 rebounds in 74 games with the Hawks. However, his role diminished at times during the season. Howard did not play in the fourth quarter of two playoff games, including the clinching loss to the Wizards in Game 6 of the first-round series against the Wizards. Howard made no secret of his disappointment with the reduced role following the season. He was traded to the Hornets for Marco Belinelli and Miles Plumlee as new general manager Travis Schlenk began reshaping the Hawks roster.
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