Dwight HOWARD

Dwight Howard followed his idol Kevin Garnett in going to the NBA Draft straight from high school and was picked first overall in 2004 by the Orlando Magic.

He became the youngest player in NBA history to average a double-double (double figures for points and rebounds) for his rookie season in which he started all 82 regular season games.

Howard also started every game over the next two seasons with 2007 seeing the Magic return to the playoffs after a four-year absence.

'Superman' was part of the USA squad that won bronze at the 2006 World Championships and, after his first of eight consecutive All-Star Game appearances, started most of the games in their 2007 FIBA Americas Championship triumph which secured a spot at Beijing 2008.

The youngest member of the roster, Howard more than proved his worth as the team's starting center.

He was at his forceful best in China, averaging 10.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. In the final group game, Germany had no response as Howard notched up 22 points and 10 rebounds.