Dwight Howard, a first-time nominee for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025, was named a finalist for this year's induction class. The Orlando Magic's top overall pick in 2004 spent eight seasons with the franchise.

And maybe, looking back, I was young. I was young, trying to figure out my game, trying to figure it all out. I had to run the organization, I had to represent, and I also had to stay true to who I was.

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame released its Finalists for the Class of 2025 on Friday evening, a group highlighted by Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard. Four first-time candidates were left off the list of Finalists,