Five Expensive and Five Cheap Dwight Howard Rookie Basketball Cards for Your Collection
Straight out of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy in Atlanta, Dwight Howard was the first pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. The power forward/center was one of the few top draft picks to live up to the billing turning in a fantastic career. With all the highlights provided, fans in the hobby gathered raising the value of his basketball cards.
Anything associated with above-the-rim activity, Howard was leading the way. In 2009 and 2010, Howard led the NBA in blocks and five times he gathered the most boards in the league (2008-10, 2012-13). The blocks and intimidation in the paint garnered five NBA All-Defensive Team selections and he was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year three times (2009-2011).
And then, there were the dunks. Listed at 6-10 to 265-280, Howard’s recorded 39.5 vertical jump helped give him the nickname “Superman”. The combination of size, strength, and athleticism were put on display during the 2008 Slam Dunk Contest. Howard took home top honors, feeding into the “Man of Steel” nickname by wearing a Superman cape and shirt for his second dunk in the first round.
From 2007 to 2014, Howard was seen on the court at NBA All-Star games. The one thing that eluded him for the first 15 years of his career came during the 2019-20 season, a title. Then with Los Angeles, the Lakers beat the Miami Heat 4-2 in the best of seven series.
Howard’s 18-year NBA career wrapped after 1,242 regular season games played in 2022 as Laker. The career numbers: 19,485 points (15.7 ppg), 14,627 rebounds (11.8 rpg), and 2,228 blocks (1.8 bpg).
When Howard’s name appears on the first ballot, he’s a sure-fire first ballot selection into the Hall of Fame.
In the Hobby
As is the case with most players in the modern era, because of the endless releases of cards from the different manufacturers, there are some cool Howard rookie cards collectors can get into without breaking the bank. And then, there are the others.
*Pricing based off Beckett Online Price Guide.
Five More Valuable Dwight Howard Rookie Cards
2004-05 Exquisite Collection #90 Dwight Howard JSY AU RC /99
Beckett has graded 67 of the 99 Exquisite Collection #90 Dwight Howard cards. Of the 67 grades, 19 have earned a 9.5 Gem Mint and 26 posted a 9 Mint. A Pristine 10 or Black Label has not been given yet. A mint version can bring north of $1,200. Secondary markets have the BGS 9.5 card listed from $2,200 to $2,750.
2004-05 SPx #147 Dwight Howard JSY AU RC /750
Given all the attributes of the card, patch, auto, serial numbered, an easy to get into card financially with the high end around $150 to $60 Near Mint. BGS has graded more 9s and 8.5s of the SPx #147. Only seven 9.5s were awarded.
2004-05 SP Authentic #186 Dwight Howard AU RC /999
Is there a better card capturing Howard, even before we really knew what we were getting in this rising star? There are three versions of this card, the listed AU RC out of 999, Authentic Limited AU /100, and Authentic Limited Extra /25. Raw pricing on the /999 ranges from $25 to $60, the Limited values are between $40 and $100, and the Limited Extra pricing is between $60 to $150.
2004-05 Fleer Tradition Crystal #252 Dwight Howard/Jameer Nelson/Mario Kasun RC
A rookie card by name but also features Mario Kasun and Jameer Nelson; a potential drawback for some collectors just wanting a Howard RC. A Mint value can bring in $100 with Near Mint prices closer to $40.
Purists may prefer the 2004-05 Fleer Tradition #221 Dwight Howard Crystal.
2004-05 Upper Deck Black Diamond #184 Dwight Howard RC
There are three parallels to the base #184, Black /5, Green /25, and Red /100. The base release is valued between $10-25 with the prices increasing with the rarity. The Green runs $25-60, and the Red is $25 to $50. A graded Mint is around $20 with a 10 able to get $300 or more.
Less Expensive Dwight Howard Rookie Cards
What about the Howard rookie cards that are easier to find and easier on your budget? We got that covered.
2004-05 Topps #221 Dwight Howard RC
Draft night, not long after prom night for Howard. The parallels do not spin too out of control with seven in total: First Edition, Black /500, and Gold /99. The Press Plates Black, Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow are one-of-ones. The base version of the #221 runs around $2.50 to $6.00.
2004-05 Bowman #129 Dwight Howard RC
Topps, via Bowman, offered 12 variations of the #129 with 11 of those being short prints, eight of them one-of-ones. To say you have a Bowman Dwight Howard RC, it’ll only cost about $3.
2004-05 Skybox Premium #76 Dwight Howard RC /999
Not all SPs are pricey, and this one is really easy on the wallet. There are six parallels of the #76, four 1/1, Ruby /75, and Emerald /15. The out of /999 run can be priced from $3 up to $5 raw. A 10 can be had for around $50.
2004-05 Bazooka #220 Dwight Howard RC
It almost looks like he’s taking off with thrusters at full throttle. Raw pricing will keep you grounded at $2 to $5. Looking to try something different, there are not many of these in BGS slabs making it rare in a different way. 8.5s and 9.5s are the most common Beckett grades for this Bazooka card.
2004-05 Upper Deck Pro Sigs #91 Dwight Howard RC
Some collectors may know this release as the Diamond Collection; listings on secondary markets can vary. The Pro Sigs set ran 120 deep with the first 90 consisting of veterans and 91-120 covering the rookies. Pricing on Howard’s #91 starts around $3, a Mint can go north of $50.
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