NEW TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan — Basketball Hall of Famer Dwight Howard made another highly anticipated return to Taiwan on September 13, taking center stage at the Kings Heart Classic charity game organized by the New Taipei Kings and The Asian Tournament (TAT).
The former NBA superstar led the TAT All-Star team at Xinzhuang Gymnasium, adding another memorable chapter to his growing connection with Taiwanese basketball fans.
The event combined basketball entertainment with a charitable mission, with proceeds benefiting animal-welfare causes.
Howard returns to a place he calls family
Howard made clear that his return was about more than basketball.
Speaking to reporters, he described Taiwan as one of his favorite places in the world and said the friendships he has developed there have made the country feel like home.
The former NBA center has already built a strong connection with Taiwan through previous basketball appearances, making his latest visit particularly meaningful for local fans.
His enthusiasm even extended to Taiwanese food. Howard joked about missing local cuisine and said he had specifically asked organizers to prepare chicken tail after arriving at his hotel in the early hours of Sunday.
From NBA superstar to global basketball ambassador
Howard’s appearance also highlighted how his career has evolved beyond the NBA.
A three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time All-Star, Howard has continued to stay involved in basketball internationally following his NBA career.
His connection with Taiwan has been particularly notable. He previously played professionally in Taiwan, where his arrival generated significant attention and helped bring international visibility to the country’s growing basketball scene.
This time, however, he returned not as a regular league player but as the headline attraction for a charity event.
Howard said he hoped the game would allow him to express his love for basketball while contributing to the development of Taiwan’s professional leagues and encouraging more high-level players to consider playing in Taiwan.
A full day of basketball and fan interaction
The Kings Heart Classic featured more than the headline charity game.
Howard first served as a guest commentator for an earlier friendly between the New Taipei Kings and the Macau Black Knights.
He then participated in a fan meet-and-greet before taking the court for the TAT All-Star team in the Kings Heart Classic.
The format gave Taiwanese fans several opportunities to see one of the most recognizable centers of his generation both on and off the court.
Why the event matters for Taiwan basketball
The event arrives as Taiwan’s professional basketball scene continues developing its international profile.
The New Taipei Kings, members of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL), have already attracted significant international attention through their players, imports and high-profile events.
Howard’s return adds another layer to that effort.
Rather than simply bringing an NBA name to Taiwan for entertainment, the Kings and TAT used the event to connect professional basketball with community engagement and charity.
That combination could become increasingly important as Taiwan’s professional leagues compete for audiences and seek to attract international talent.
Howard’s Taiwan connection continues
Howard’s latest visit also demonstrates the unusual relationship he has developed with Taiwanese fans.
His previous stint in Taiwan made him one of the country’s most recognizable foreign basketball stars, and his decision to return for a charity event shows that the relationship has continued even after his playing career moved beyond Taiwan.
His message during the event was straightforward: basketball can be used not only to entertain fans but also to give back to the community and help grow the sport.
For the New Taipei Kings, having a Basketball Hall of Famer headline the event provided an opportunity to combine those goals on one court.
And for Taiwan’s basketball fans, it was another chance to watch a global basketball icon return to a place he has repeatedly described with affection.
The Dwight Howard-Taiwan story clearly isn’t over yet — and his latest return suggests the former NBA superstar may have found a second home in Asian basketball.
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