Former NBA player Dwight Howard is taking inspiration from the greats in his next chapter.
Howard reflected in an Instagram post that he had been deliberating about going to college for the past three years. He never attended college but jokes that he opted for a “degree in basketball” when the Orlando Magic drafted him as the No. 1 pick in 2004 at 17.
Fast forward to 2026, and Howard, who now plays for the SG Apes of the Mongolian Basketball League, has decided to enroll in college to pursue a business degree. In the Instagram video, he’s seen working on coursework overseas.
“I still got to do my college work, man, so I’m over here right now in my cabin … This is the craziest thing in the world, man, going to school. I haven’t done it since I was 18, and I’m 40, and now I’m sitting down at the computer doing math, algebra, pursuing a degree in business science. And I want to be certified. I went to the league and got certified with the Hall of Fame. Now I’m getting my degree,” the NBA champion said in the video.
He credited several current and former players who influenced his decision. These include Philadelphia 76ers player Jaylen Brown, who Howard says has been pushing the message to not just focus on the sport but to encourage athletes to build their minds, business acumen, and portfolios.
He also cited J.R. Smith. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Smith enrolled at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (North Carolina A&T) in 2021 and four years later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies – applied cultural thought from the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Science.
Howard said Smith’s journey affirmed that “it’s never too late to go back and get that education.”
Shaquille O’Neal was also mentioned as an inspiration. O’Neal has several degrees under his belt, which include a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Louisiana State University (LSU), an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and a doctoral degree in education from Barry University. He also has two master’s degrees from LSU, according to information shared with AFROTECH™.
“You have legends like Shaq that show us how far you can take things, getting the highest level of education you can while still being dominant & legendary,” Howard noted.
View this post on Instagram
