Dwight Howard headlines New Taipei charity event

Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Dwight Howard yesterday returned to Taiwan to attend a charity event organized by the New Taipei Kings and The Asian Tournament (TAT).

Speaking with reporters at the opening of the event at Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City, Howard said he was “always glad” to return to Taiwan, calling it “literally one of my favorite places in the world.”

“Every time I come, I get this overwhelming sense of joy and peace,” he said, adding that the friends he has made in Taiwan have become like family.

Former NBA star Howard Dwight, right, playing for the yellow team in the Kings’ Heart Classic all-star game charity event, drives the ball down the court at Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City yesterday.

Photo: CNA

Howard also said he missed Taiwanese food and had been eating local favorites, including chicken tail and General Tso’s Chicken.

As he arrived at his hotel at about 1am yesterday, he asked event organizers to prepare chicken tail for him so he could eat it upon arrival, he said.

Asked whether he would return to play professionally in Taiwan, Howard said he had enjoyed his time in the nation, but had shifted his focus to his family and wanted to be there for his children as they grow.

However, he said he had taken on a promoting role for Taiwan, encouraging players who ask about playing in Taiwan to come and experience the country.

Howard said he hoped the charity event would allow him to express his love for basketball while contributing to the development of Taiwan’s professional basketball leagues and encouraging more top players to come to Taiwan.

Howard led the TAT All-Star team in the “Kings Heart Classic” after serving as a guest commentator for the early game, a friendly between the Kings and the Macau Black Knights, the Kings said in a statement.

Howard also participated in a fan meet-and-greet between the two games.

Part of the proceeds from the event would be donated to PACK Taiwan, an animal welfare organization, to improve shelter care and support the adoption of stray dogs, the Kings said.

Howard became one of Taiwan’s most prominent foreign athletes after joining the Taoyuan Leopards in the now-defunct T1 League for the 2022-2023 season, following an 18-season NBA career.

He returned to Taiwan in July 2024 to play for the Taiwan Mustangs in the TAT, in which he said he had an ownership stake.

In September last year, Howard gave Taiwan a special mention during his induction speech into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.