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After a Hall of Fame career marked by time spent playing in the NBA and overseas, three-time DPOY and NBA champion Dwight Howard announced his retirement in March earlier this year. Surprisingly, however, it appears the legendary big man’s retirement only lasted a few months. Following his stint in Taiwan’s T1 League with the Taoyuan Leopards in the 2022-23 season, Dwight Howard appeared for a tournament in Dubai, hinting at the end of his professional career. Thus, after a move to the BIG3’s Los Angeles Riot in the 2025 season, the eight-time All-Star decided to call it quits. Now, reports indicate that he’s gearing up for a return. According to an article by BasketNews, Howard will be playing professionally overseas in Georgia, representing Black Fortress Tbilisi. The article read: “Dwight Howard is continuing his unusual global basketball journey. The former NBA draft’s number one overall pick and one of the best centers of his generation will play in Georgia starting in October, bolstering the Black Fortress Tbilisi squad. Howard announced his arrival via a social media post, using a play on words related to his birthplace. He was born in the U.S. state of Georgia, but his new stint will take him to the country of the same name, located on the border of Europe and Asia.” Dwight Howard also broke the news on his social media, as he shared an excited reaction to the move. While his caption included some wordplay, drawing reference to his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, Howard revealed that he was moving to the country, sharing: “Tbilisi, Georgia. I am coming to your city. I am coming here to spread the game of basketball, the game that I love. I cannot wait to start with the Black Fortress team, baby! We are bringing everything down.” “Just want to let y’all know, this is the last time that you’re going to see your boy on the court,” Howard added. “But I will see you guys, and you will see me for the last and first time on the court. It’s going to the arena right now. I want to go to the arena! Black Fortress, let’s go!” Black Fortress Tbilisi is a team in the Georgian Super League. In the 2025-26 season, the franchise posted a 10-7 record across all stages, finishing second in the league. Now, with the addition of Dwight Howard, there is reason to believe Tbilisi could become considerably more formidable. Although it has been over four years since Dwight Howard made his last NBA appearance, suiting up for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2021-22 season, the big man has been active in different leagues overseas. With a career average of 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game in the NBA, he was impactful. Hence, even at 40, the former All-Star inspires confidence in his ability to contribute and dominate. For all intents and purposes, the Hall of Famer’s stint in Georgia could be brief, considering that the season only comprises 17 games across different stages. However, with the opportunity to see the big man back in action, this could be an exciting venture.