Howard shows faith in abilities

For Dwight Howard, making the jump from high school to the NBA is truly going to be a leap of faith.

While attempting to outplay his opponents on the court next season, Howard also wants to give them a lift spiritually.

Howard, the 6-foot-11, 250-pound Atlanta high school phenom expected by many to be one of the top two players chosen in the NBA Draft, will strive to become the first superstar to promote a pro-Christian message actively in the often hedonistic world of the NBA.

The Naismith and McDonald’s player of the year, who will start in the national game of the Jordan Capital Classic tonight at Comcast Center, formally announced his intention Wednesday to enter the draft. If chosen with the No.1 pick, he would join Kwame Brown and LeBron James as the third high school player to be selected first overall.

As with James last season, Howard’s size, versatility and instincts at power forward are unmatched in the high school talent pool. He averaged 25 points, 18 rebounds and eight blocks this past season while leading Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy to the Georgia Class A state championship.

“He definitely separates himself from the average kid his age — his size, athleticism, skill level and knowledge of the game,” said Mike White, a high school coach from Detroit who will coach Howard in the classic. “You can tell he’s gifted.”

But more than his talent, Howard’s personal beliefs distinguish him from any other comparable prospect in the history of the league.

Like many before him, Howard wants to be the best ever. But unlike anyone else, he wants to be the league’s first successful proselytizing star.

“I’ll send a message through my actions, and [others] will see what kind of person I am, and they’ll want to take on those characteristics,” he said. “I don’t want to go out there just trying to preach to everybody. I don’t want to go in quoting Bible verses.”

Perhaps what best captures Howard’s vision is his desire to change the very logo of the NBA — a silhouette of Jerry West dribbling upcourt — by affixing a cross over West’s heart. He sketched his own version of the logo on a piece of paper hanging over his bed that also lists his personal commandments, one of which is to have the NBA “run by the standards of God.” Next to the paper hangs a framed copy of the Ten Commandments and a handcrafted wooden cross.

Since the age of 4, Howard has attended Southwest Atlanta Christian, where he attends a devotional every morning and takes a Bible class every semester. The school, which has 70 high school students and 306 total, did not have an indoor gym until December 2002.

Although he knew he was going to enter the draft after last season, Howard has not acquired the lavish accoutrements of today’s NBA superstars. He doesn’t travel with an entourage or wear gaudy jewelry. In contrast to James, whose earning potential enabled his mother to get him a fully equipped Hummer H2 as a senior, Howard plans to continue driving the 1984 Crown Victoria his father bought him for $900. His favorite movie, which he quotes often, is “Finding Nemo.”

Despite being on the cusp on NBA stardom, Howard said he doesn’t want to change his lifestyle. Although he would like to play for his hometown Hawks, he will be fine wherever he goes, he said.

“I haven’t changed since I was in high school — since I was born,” he said. “I don’t want to change just because I’ve got money.”

Said White: “He seems to be a well-grounded young man. He’s the kind of kid you want to root for. I feel honored to be able to work with him.”

Like James, Howard expects to be marketable. But sponsors traditionally have avoided signing endorsement deals with athletes who are outspoken about their faiths.

Howard wants to equal the marketing success of James, who has signed about $135million in endorsement deals. But will he exercise self-censorship if sponsors shy away from his evangelism?

“It depends on what it is,” he said. “As far as marketing, I think I’ll be OK.”

And, of course, some players will be less than receptive to another player — a rookie, no less — telling them what to believe.

But Howard remains undaunted. He wants to revolutionize the league, not only by dominating his foes but also by reaching out to them.

“I’m going to do my best — whatever it takes,” he said.