It’s been a whirlwind year for Dwight Howard. Earlier, the 2020 NBA champ took his talents overseas, joining the Taiwan league, where he not only snagged his first championship win but also became part-owner of the team—and even the league itself. Howard didn’t stop there. From trolling the NBA to making waves on Dancing with the Stars, his escapades have kept fans entertained. Throw in a public back-and-forth with Shaquille O’Neal, and Howard’s year has been anything but dull. But now, what’s next for the 8x NBA All-Star?

Howard gave fans a glimpse into his post-DWTS plans during a lighthearted chat on the LATRYGUY YouTube channel with Alex Cottrell. Reflecting on his time away from home, Howard quipped, “I was told by this very, very smart ninja to never let the devil know your move.” However, he quickly dropped the humor to reveal his real plan. “The next thing for me is just to be at home and be there for my children,” he said earnestly.

“You know, I want to be able to go home and just spend time with them,” Howard emphasized. He explained how his 18 years in the NBA taught him the importance of preparing his kids for the world. “My job is to teach them to be strong for this world out here,” he said passionately. “They ain’t seen what their father had to see and go through.”, Howard further added.

As for his DWTS journey, Howard’s elimination came during the show’s milestone 500th episode. The twist? Contestants had just five minutes to prepare a randomly assigned dance. Despite earning an impressive 26 out of 30 with his partner, Daniella Karagach, the score wasn’t enough to keep them in the competition. But while Howard didn’t take home the trophy, he feels it’s one of his best decisions.

Dwight Howard regards DWTS as one of his best decisions

After his elimination from Dancing with the Stars, Dwight Howard took to social media to reflect on his journey. “Such an honor to be able to be a part of a list of great basketball players that took the step to get out of their comfort zone and dance in front of the world,” he wrote. Howard even gave a shoutout to Iman Shumpert, the only NBA player to win the coveted mirror ball trophy. “I tried to be the next,” he added, “but hopefully another basketball representative from the WNBA or NBA can win it one season.”

Interestingly, Howard’s participation wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. In an earlier interview, he revealed that this had been in the works for three years. “I’ve been trying to do it for three years. This year, I had an opportunity because I didn’t have basketball going on,” he explained. After reaching out to Deena Katz, the show’s talent coordinator, he finally landed his spot. Looking back, he said, “It’s the best decision I made to come on the show.”

But it wasn’t just about dancing for Howard—it was about growth. “It’s really helped me with so many things—not just my weight or staying in shape, but also mentally,” he admitted. Whether or not he walked away as a winner, Howard stands by his choice. “Whether I win or not, this is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” he said, hinting that his time on the show may have opened doors to a whole new chapter. Tell us what you thought about Howard’s venture into the fabled world of reality shows!