Dwight Howard Names Shaquille O’Neal as Presenter for Hall of Fame Induction

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Dwight Howard, the former NBA star recognized for his dominant presence on the court, has requested Shaquille O'Neal to present him during his upcoming induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in September 2025. This announcement comes as a surprising turn in their long-standing rivalry, which dates back over a decade.

In a statement shared on social media, Howard expressed his desire for O’Neal, along with fellow Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Dennis Rodman to join him at the ceremony. ‘Shaq appreciate you man, it will be an honor to have you, KG, DROD, Hakeem and Kareem walk me into the Basketball Heavens,’ Howard tweeted.

O’Neal confirmed the invite during a podcast, saying, ‘I’ll be there. That’s my guy.’

The rekindling of their relationship is particularly noteworthy given their past, marked by public spats since Howard’s early career, including a highly publicized feud over who the rightful ‘Superman’ of basketball is. Their tensions peaked when Howard donned a Superman costume during the 2008 Slam Dunk Contest, a move that many perceived as a direct challenge to O’Neal’s legacy. Over the years, both players exchanged jabs, leading to an ongoing rivalry.

Howard achieved significant milestones during his 18-year career, including three Defensive Player of the Year awards and an NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. Throughout his career, he has accumulated averages of 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 58.7% from the field. Despite earlier tensions, Howard has become a beloved figure among Lakers fans.

O’Neal’s acceptance to present Howard highlights an important moment in both players’ legacies, as they both have shared similar paths, being No. 1 overall picks in the NBA draft and each leading the Los Angeles Lakers to championships. Their shared experiences may have bridged the gap between past disagreements.

As they prepare for the Hall of Fame ceremony in Springfield, the basketball community is abuzz with anticipation. Speculations surrounding potential rivalries being put to rest add to the emotional weight of Howard’s induction into the Hall of Fame. Both Howard and O’Neal seem ready to embrace a more collaborative future, as they celebrate Howard’s remarkable contributions to the sport.