Dwight Howard plans to sign with PH's Strong Group for Dubai tilt —report

Former NBA star Dwight Howard will be joining the Philippines' Strong Group for the Dubai International Basketball Championship, according to a report by The Athletic's Shams Charania.

"In the midst of pursuing an NBA comeback, Dwight Howard plans to sign a deal to play for the Philippines team Strong Group in the two-week Dubai International Basketball Championship in January, sources tell me," Charania said in a video posted on X.

Eight-time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard is signing a contract to continue his basketball career abroad, details here: pic.twitter.com/U3KeDWUynL

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 2, 2024

Howard is an eight-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-NBA First Team member. He was selected first overall in the 2004 NBA Draft and had stints with several NBA teams, including the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers.

He last played in the Taiwan T1 League for the Taoyuan Leopards.

Strong Group also competed in the 32nd edition of the tournament held in 2023, with former NBA players Shabazz Muhammad, Renaldo Balkman, and Nick Young on the roster. Also on the team in the lineup were Sedrick Barefield, Justine Baltazar, UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, NCAA stars Will Gozum and Migs Oczon of Benilde, and collegiate standouts such as Jerom Lastimosa, Francis Lopez, and JD Cagulangan.

They were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Lebanon, 106-97.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News