Welp, Dwight Howard can breathe a little easier, as a lawsuit filed against him has been officially dropped.
As previously reported, in July 2023, a Georgia man named Stephen Harper accused the former NBA star of sexual assault, alleging that the incident took place at Howard’s home in July 2021. Harper’s complaint included serious allegations, such as “intentional infliction of emotional distress” and false imprisonment. The case garnered significant media attention, given Howard’s prominent status in the basketball world.
Howard, who has repeatedly denied the allegations, filed a response in October affirming that the interaction with Harper was consensual. His attorney also provided statements to ESPN, emphasizing that the encounter was “consensua and suggesting that Harper’s claims emerged only after a demand for financial compensation. Of course, the controversy raised eyebrows among Howard’s long-time fans, who have followed his career in the NBA. But in a new update, Harper has decided to dismiss all claims against Howard with prejudice, meaning he will not be able to refile a lawsuit based on those same allegations.
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The Howard-having-sex-with-men rumors have long been fodder for the more gossipy parts of the internet, with Howard in 2019 denying he was gay. Despite these past incidents, he has still not directly address his sexuality publicly.
This end to his legal drama marks a notable chapter in the ongoing case regarding serious accusations.
Howard’s last professional stint was with the Taiwan Mustangs, where he played alongside fellow NBA veterans DeMarcus Cousins and Quinn Cook during The Asian Tournament. His most recent appearance in the NBA was in 2022 with the Los Angeles Lakers. With this lawsuit behind him, Howard now 38 years old, can now focus on moving forward and enjoying his life beyond the court.