Who was the McDonald's National High School Player of the Year in 2004?

Dwight Howard was the McDonald’s National High School Player of the Year in 2004. The Atlanta-area center was one of the most highly recruited basketball prospects in the country after starring for Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy.

Howard’s 2004 honors reflected a remarkable final high-school season. He was also recognized with the Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award, the Morgan Wootten High School Player of the Year Award, and Gatorade National Player of the Year honors. At the 2004 McDonald’s All-American Game, he shared co-MVP honors with J. R. Smith.

Rather than attending college, Howard entered the NBA directly after high school. The Orlando Magic selected him first overall in the 2004 NBA draft, making him the first pick of a class that also included Emeka Okafor, Ben Gordon, and Andre Iguodala.

The award is sometimes confused with the McDonald’s All-American Game MVP, which Howard also shared that year. The question’s specific national Player of the Year honor, however, belongs to Dwight Howard.