Column: Long Before NBA Finals, Dwight Howard Faced Commerce

Howard, then a prep star for Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy (SACA), scored 18 points in just over two quarters in SACA’s 83-38 win over Commerce.

The 6’11” Howard dunked eight times that night, taking only one shot outside the paint.

Southwest Atlanta Christian, with a deep roster that included another future NBA player, Jarvis Crittenton, eventually won the Class A title.

Howard certainly went on to bigger and better things following that meeting with Commerce.

Orlando nabbed him four months later with the no. 1 pick in the 2004 draft.

Since then, Howard has averaged 17.3 points and 12.5 boards per game in his five-year NBA career. He scored 40 points in Orlando’s series-clinching victory over Cleveland Saturday.

The player who once faced Commerce will meet Kobe Bryant and the Lakers in the NBA finals. The series starts Thursday.