Get to Know Dwight Howard’s Five Kids: Braylon, Dwight, David, Layla, and Jayde
Dwight Howard with his daughters, Layla and Jayde; Dwight Howard’s sons Trey and David and daughters Layla and Jayde.
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Dwight Howard/Instagram
Dwight Howard, the former NBA star and current contestant on Dancing with the Stars, is a father of five, comprising three sons and two daughters. Over the course of his career, he welcomed children from five different partners between 2007 and 2013. Currently, all his children reside primarily with their mothers, although he gained primary custody of his youngest son, David, following the death of David’s mother in 2020.
“It’s a tough situation, obviously,” Howard reflected in a 2017 interview with Sports Illustrated, expressing his emotions about not being present for his children full-time. “I should have been more responsible… But I won’t look at any of them as a mistake. They’re all a blessing to me.”
At that time, his children lived in different states, with two in Florida, two in Los Angeles, and one in Houston, while Howard’s base was in Atlanta, where he played for the Hawks. Despite the distance, he made it a point to connect, often FaceTiming and texting. In the summer of 2017, Howard and his children enjoyed a week together in Aspen, Colorado.
"Every part is the best part, even when things might not go right," he said in a September 2019 interview with Graham Bensinger, describing his favorite aspect of fatherhood. "It’s just seeing that kid’s face, the smile, the hugs, the ‘I love you, Daddy,’ that’s like amazing. For your daughter or son, just to say ‘I love you, Dad,’ that’s bigger than life."
For insight into the lives of Howard’s children, here’s a closer look at each of them.
Braylon Howard, 18
Dwight Howard with his son Braylon Howard.
Dwight Howard/Instagram
Braylon Howard, born on November 18, 2007, is Dwight Howard’s eldest child, whose mother is Royce Reed, a former Orlando Magic cheerleader. Although Braylon primarily lives with his mother, he shares a strong bond with his father, who publicly celebrated his 16th birthday in November 2023 with an emotional tribute on Instagram, expressing immense love and pride in watching his son grow.
"Wow, it’s been 16 years since you came into this world," Howard wrote in an Instagram post featuring throwback photos. "You have grown so much, and I’m grateful that I’ve been able to witness it all. You are my firstborn, and it fills my heart with joy to see your wonderful smile and the cheerful spirit you carry with you."
Braylon has also embraced athletics, following in his father’s footsteps by playing on his high school football team.
Layla Howard, 15
Dwight Howard with his daughters, Layla and Jayde, in August 2022.
Dwight Howard/Instagram
Layla was born in 2010 to Howard and Tiffany Render. Generally private, she has made sporadic appearances on social media. In August 2022, she and Jayde went hiking with their father, capturing memorable moments shared during their outing. "Make the most out of every moment," Howard wrote. “And that memory will last a lifetime.”
Layla joined Howard in a light-hearted TikTok video in June 2023 during the NBA finals, jokingly dubbing themselves the "best father-daughter duo."
Jayde Howard, 14
Dwight Howard with his daughter Jayde Howard.
Dwight Howard/Instagram
Jayde Howard was born on December 29, 2010, three months after Layla, to Howard and Hope Alexa. While also maintaining privacy, she joined her father and brother on a trip in the summer of 2024 while he played basketball in Taiwan, visiting cities such as Tokyo and the Philippines.
On her 13th birthday, Howard shared nostalgic photos on social media, highlighting the moments Jayde was present during his journey with the Los Angeles Lakers. "Happy Birthday Jayde 🤞🏾💕 the last birthday of December 🙌🏾 #12/29," he wrote.
Dwight III "Trey" Howard, 12
Dwight Howard with his son Dwight III "Trey" Howard.
Dwight Howard/Instagram
Trey Howard, known as Dwight III, was born in June 2013 to Howard and Christine Vest. A devoted supporter of his father’s endeavors, Trey has been spotted sitting courtside at games and played a significant role in inspiring Howard’s participation in Dancing with the Stars.
At the show’s launch, host Julianne Hough inquired about Howard’s motivation for competing. He proudly acknowledged Trey, stating, "Really, for my son, he’s here in the audience, Trey Howard… You can do anything you put your mind to."
David Howard, 12
Dwight Howard with his son David Howard.
Dwight Howard/Instagram
David Howard, the youngest son, was born on December 14, 2013, to Howard and Melissa Rios. Tragically, David lost his mother to an epileptic seizure when he was just six years old. Following this loss, Howard took on the role of primary caregiver, ensuring he would be there for his son.
"As a father, his focus has been trying to be there for his son, trying to find the words to explain the loss of his mother," noted Lakers beat reporter Mike Trudell after the announcement of Rios’ death.
Since then, David has accompanied Howard to various events, including the premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home. In July 2023, Howard shared a TikTok video showcasing his training sessions with David, motivating him to adopt a mindset of resilience: "never say you can’t."
