The Orlando Magic have signed center Dwight Howard to a contract extension, General Manager Otis Smith announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed. InsideHoops.com will post contract details tonight.

Howard was named to the 2006-07 All-NBA Third Team, becoming the fourth player in Magic history to earn All-NBA honors (O’Neal, Hardaway, McGrady). He played and started in all 82 games last season for Orlando, averaging a team/career-best 17.6 ppg., a team-high 12.3 rpg., 1.9 apg. and a team/career-best 1.90 blkpg. in a team-high 36.9 minpg. Howard also averaged 15.8 ppg., 14.8 rpg., 1.8 apg. and 1.00 blkpg. in 41.8 minpg. during the NBA Playoffs.

“Dwight (Howard) has already become one of the most intimidating forces in the league down low, and at 21 years old, he is only going to get better,” said Smith. “We continue to make this organization one in which fans can be proud of, both on and off the court, and Dwight is obviously a big part of that. We look forward to watching Dwight’s development in a Magic uniform for many years to come.”

Howard ranked among NBA leaders in field goal percentage (second), rebounding (third), blocked shots (12th), minutes played (29th) and scoring (T-33rd). Howard was named to his first NBA All-Star team in February and led the Magic back to the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

Originally selected with the first overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, Howard is a member of the 2006-08 USA Men’s Senior National Team program, competing in the 2006 FIBA World Championships and the 2008 Olympic Games. He has appeared in 246 career NBA games, all with the Magic, averaging 15.1 ppg., 11.6 rpg., 1.5 apg. and 1.65 blkpg. in 35.4 minpg. Howard has not missed a game during his NBA career and holds the franchise record for consecutive games played.

Howard, who has 152 career double-doubles, is the youngest player in NBA history to record 20-plus rebounds in a single game (Dec. 1, 2004 vs. Toronto), was a unanimous selection to the 2004-05 NBA All-Rookie First Team and has been named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Month twice (April 2006, November 2006).

Howard makes a tremendous impact in the community as well. He was honored for his work off the court with the 2005 Rich and Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award, his recognizes tremendous efforts in the Central Florida community.