This past weekend saw the eight-time NBA All-Star play his first match in Taiwan’s T1 League. And he had a truly impressive debut. Howard, who joined the Taoyuan Leopards earlier this month, scored a total of 38 points (including two three-pointers), 25 rebounds, nine assists, and nine blocks to aid his side in overturning a double-digit halftime deficit.
In the end, the Leopards defeated the New Taipei CTBC DEA 120-115, and Howard was honored as “player of the game.”
After 18 seasons in the NBA, Howard this month revealed his deal with the T1 League.
“It’s crazy how things play out because back in 2013 I told Taiwan that I would do my best to come back so that I can spread love and put smiles on people’s faces through basketball,” he wrote on Instagram, “and now here I am writing this message to announce that I will be returning to Taiwan with the Taoyuan Leopards to play and give the people of Taiwan a chance to watch me play in real time. I have always loved the energy I felt visiting Taiwan as you can see I still have posters hanging up on my walls from my first two times visiting! I’m ready to enjoy life by playing the sport I love in front of a bunch of people that love me and for my people in Taiwan have your posters ready to welcome yours truly.”
Apparently Dwight Howard is a point guard in Taiwan pic.twitter.com/KMrvhjsFst
— Sega 🇺🇸🇵🇭 (@INDlVlDUALIST) November 19, 2022