It's official: Dwight Howard is back home.
The eight-time NBA All-Star signed with the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, July 12, and was introduced by the team Wednesday morning. The two sides reached an agreement on a three-year, $70.5 million deal back on July 1.
"I'm just happy to be home," a visibly emotional Howard said. "As a great man told me, if you want to get back to the top, you got to get back to your roots."
Howard, an Atlanta native, was selected No. 1 straight out of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy by the Orlando Magic back in 2004.
The 6-foot-11, 30-year-old center has been named NBA Defensive Player of the Year three times, and ranks fifth in NBA history in field goal percentage and 13th in rebounds per games. This past season with the Houston Rockets, Howard averaged a double-double, scoring just under 14 points per game while grabbing 12 rebounds per game.
PHOTOS | Dwight Howard
Along with Howard, the Hawks welcomed Kent Bazemore to the stage after the forward signed a four-year, $70 million deal earlier this month.
"I couldn't choose a better place to be," Bazemore said while fighting back tears. "It just feels like home...It just made sense. Why walk away from something so perfect."
This past season, the Bazemore averaged 11.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
PHOTOS | Kent Bazemore
