The hits to Dwight Howard’s reputation just keep coming.
The All-Star center certainly hasn’t enamored himself to Orlando Magic fans this offseason with his trade demands. Skipping his own youth camp probably isn’t going to repair the damage to his character.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Howard will not attend his annual basketball day camp for children in Orlando, choosing instead to remain in Southern California to continue rehabbing his back.
Predictably, the decision is not sitting well with many of the families who paid $199 to register for the camp.
“This is another real disappointment to the community and, more importantly, the kids who cherish the thought of seeing and hanging with Dwight,” one disappointed grandparent wrote.
A camp official told the Sentinel that refunds will be given if registrants don’t want to attend due to Howard’s absence. That seems to be little consolation, though, considering campers were promised a Howard autograph among other goodies.
Compounding the disappointment and anger, Howard has been spotted at several Los Angeles Dodgers games in recent weeks and also took in part of the adidas Nations tournament in Long Beach over the weekend.
Magic first-round draft pick Andrew Nicholson will take Howard’s place at the camp.
