Jett Howard is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was born on September 14, 2003, in Chicago, Illinois, and attended NSU University School and IMG Academy during his high school career. He played one season for the Michigan Wolverines, where he earned Third-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors during the 2022–23 season. Howard was selected 11th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2023 NBA Draft and has since been developing as a key rotation player for the franchise. He is the son of former NBA All-Star and NBA champion Juwan Howard, who was also his coach during his lone collegiate season at Michigan.
Jett Howard Bio
Jett Howard is a small forward for the Orlando Magic, currently in his second NBA season. He was selected 11th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by Orlando, following a standout freshman campaign at Michigan where he averaged 14.2 points per game and led the Wolverines with 78 made three-pointers. His professional career began with a mix of NBA and G League appearances, but he has steadily carved out a larger role with the Magic. Known for his three-point shooting and offensive versatility, Howard comes from a basketball family with deep NBA roots through his father Juwan Howard.
Early Life and Background
Jett Howard was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 14, 2003, to Jenine and Juwan Howard. His father, Juwan, was beginning a 19-year NBA career that included an NBA championship with the Miami Heat in 2012, multiple All-Star selections, and NCAA All-American honors at Michigan. Growing up in a basketball household, Jett was exposed to the game from an early age, eventually following his father’s footsteps both collegiate and professionally.
Jett attended NSU University School in Davie, Florida, for his freshman and sophomore years from 2018 to 2020. He was part of a talented roster that included future NBA players Vernon Carey Jr. and Scottie Barnes. As a freshman, Howard helped NSU University win the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 5A State Championship, and the team repeated as state champions during his sophomore season.
Path to Basketball
Prior to his junior year, Howard transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for the 2020–2022 seasons. At IMG, he competed against top national programs and developed his offensive skills against elite competition. During his senior year, he was named MVP of the Allen Iverson Roundball Classic despite participating alongside seven top-20 recruits. He also competed in the Jordan Brand Classic. His performances helped IMG Academy advance to the national semifinals in both his junior and senior seasons.
Despite having his father as a major college basketball head coach, Jett Howard pursued a normal recruiting process without special treatment. He received offers from multiple major programs, including Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, LSU, Michigan, Georgetown, and NC State. He visited Tennessee in September 2021 and nearly committed before ultimately choosing Michigan. On October 13, 2021, Howard committed to play for his father and alongside his brother Jace at Michigan.
Jett Howard Career
Michigan Wolverines (2022–2023)
Howard played his freshman season for the Michigan Wolverines during the 2022–23 college basketball season. He made an immediate impact in his collegiate debut on November 7, 2022, scoring 21 points in a victory over Purdue Fort Wayne. He became the first Wolverine to debut with 20-plus points since Jamal Crawford accomplished the feat in 1999. He earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week recognition during his first week of play.
Howard emerged as one of the top freshman scorers in the country, posting a season-high 34 points on January 12, 2023, against Iowa, including Michigan’s first 11 points and his first five three-pointers of the game. He finished the season as Michigan’s second-leading scorer at 14.2 points per game while leading the team with 78 made three-pointers. His 2.7 three-point shots made per game ranked second in the Big Ten Conference. Following the regular season, he earned Third-team All-Big Ten recognition from the media and honorable mention from the coaches, along with All-Freshman Team honors. On March 23, 2023, Howard declared for the 2023 NBA Draft, forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility.
Orlando Magic (2023–Present)
The Orlando Magic selected Howard with the 11th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. He made his NBA debut on October 25, 2023, against the Houston Rockets. Howard appeared in limited action during his rookie season, playing just five of the team’s first 13 games. On November 20, 2023, the Magic assigned him to their G League affiliate, the Osceola Magic, for additional development opportunities.
Howard made his G League debut on November 22, 2023, scoring 34 points with seven three-pointers made against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He split time between the NBA and G League during his rookie season, posting 19 points across his first 10 NBA appearances while averaging 24.5 points in his first six G League starts.
During the 2024–25 season, Howard stepped into an expanded role following Franz Wagner’s injury. On January 5, 2025, he posted a career-high 21 points against the Utah Jazz in just his second start of the season. He continued to develop his offensive game and showed promise as a three-point shooter with the ability to score in bunches.
On November 23, 2025, Howard recorded a career-high 30 points against the Boston Celtics, including 22 points in the fourth quarter. He posted this performance while the Magic were shorthanded with three of their top five scorers sidelined, helping the team cut a 26-point deficit down to six in a competitive showing.
Driving Style and Strengths
Howard has established himself as a reliable three-point shooter with a quick release, making him a valuable floor spacer for the Orlando Magic. He possesses the ability to score off the dribble and can create his own shot when necessary. His offensive versatility allows him to attack closeouts and finish at the rim. Howard continues to work on his defensive consistency and overall two-way play as he develops at the NBA level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Howard achieved several milestones during his brief NBA career, including his first career 20-point game against Utah in January 2025 and his career-high 30-point performance against Boston in November 2025. His G League debut with 34 points showcased his scoring ability and three-point shooting touch. These performances demonstrate his potential as a future offensive option for the Magic.
Jett Howard Career Highlights
Throughout his basketball career, Howard has accumulated notable achievements at both the high school and collegiate levels, establishing himself as a skilled scorer and perimeter shooter before beginning his professional career.
College Highlights
During his lone college season at Michigan, Howard made an immediate impact, scoring 21 points in his debut against Purdue Fort Wayne. He earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week recognition early in the season and posted a season-high 34 points against Iowa. Howard finished his freshman year averaging 14.2 points per game while leading Michigan with 78 three-pointers made. His shooting efficiency and scoring ability made him one of the top freshman prospects in the country.
Other Highlights
Howard was named MVP of the Allen Iverson Roundball Classic during his senior year of high school despite competing against seven top-20 recruits. He was selected to the Jordan Brand Classic and participated in USA Basketball Junior National Team minicamps. His high school career included back-to-back FHSAA Class 5A State Championships at NSU University School.
Jett Howard Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Jett Howard comes from a basketball family with extensive NBA experience. His father, Juwan Howard, played 19 seasons in the NBA, winning a championship with the Miami Heat in 2012 and earning multiple All-Star selections. Juwan Howard also played for the Orlando Magic during his career, making Jett’s selection by the Magic in 2023 a full-circle moment. Juwan Howard is currently the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, where he coached Jett during his freshman season.
Jett’s family connections extend throughout basketball. His father is cousins with Angela Jackson, mother of NBA players Jalen McDaniels and Jaden McDaniels, making Jett second cousins with both players.
Personal Life
Howard has three older brothers who have played or are playing college basketball. His half-brother Josh Howard played four seasons for Brown University from 2016 to 2020. His other half-brother, Juwan Howard Jr., was a two-time All-Horizon League second-team selection for the Detroit Titans in 2014 and 2015. His brother Jace Howard also played at Michigan alongside Jett during the 2022–23 season.
Beyond basketball, Howard has pursued acting. In 2023, he portrayed Carmelo Anthony in the LeBron James biopic “Shooting Stars,” playing a high school rival of James.
2025 Season Performance
Howard entered the 2025–26 season with increased expectations after showing promise during the previous season. He has been working to establish himself as a consistent contributor for the Magic, building on his career-high 30-point performance against the Boston Celtics. His ability to space the floor and score in bunches makes him a valuable piece in Orlando’s young core. As he continues to develop his all-around game, Howard is focused on earning more minutes and becoming a more complete two-way player for the franchise.