Dwight Howard Says He Pranked His Mom by Telling Her That He Was Signing With the Jazz

Dwight Howard shares the story of how he pranked his mom by informing her of his decision to sign with the Utah Jazz.

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Dwight Howard didn't waste any time, signing a three-year, $70.5 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks on the first day of NBA free agency this past summer. By joining the Hawks, Howard was returning to his hometown, a decision that his mother, Sheryl, wanted to come to fruition. The Atlanta, Georgia native found that out while playing a cruel prank on his mom after inking a deal with the Hawks. 

"I played a prank on my mom," Howard said on the Doug Gottlieb Show on Monday. "I wanted to see her reaction, so I told her, I said, 'Mom, I just got this big contract, $150 million.' And she was like, 'Oh my God, from who?' I said, 'Utah Jazz,' and she started crying. And I said, 'Mom, sorry, I was just joking, I'm coming home to Atlanta.' And then she was super happy and my family was super excited."

The Jazz, who currently have the sixth-best record (7-5) in the Western Conference, are a solid team with a incredibly bright future, and shouldn't be offended by the reaction of Dwight's mom upon hearing her son's initial reveal. Sheryl's tears most likely had to do with her having to coming to terms with how far away Howard would be from his hometown. 

During his first press conference as a member of the Hawks, Howard shed some tears of his own while speaking about having "a real new beginning" with his fourth team in his 12-year NBA career. 

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