Three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year to compete on 'Dancing with the Stars'

Dwight Howard has been a three-time DPOY. Now he'll try his luck on DWTS.

Howard joins a number of athletes competing on the 33rd season of "Dancing With The Stars," including Olympic rugby bronze medalist Ilona Maher and Stephen Nedoroscik, the pommel horse specialist with two bronze medals from the Paris Games.

The show also features former New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola, who previously competed alongside Howard on "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test," in which the two former athletes went through Special Forces training.

The former NBA star, currently a member of the Taiwan Mustangs of The Asian Tournament, has some tough competition in opponents like Tori Spelling, actor Eric Roberts and "Carl Winslow" himself, actor Reginald VelJohnson.

Former pro athletes have done well in the competition before, including Season 30's champion, former NBA player Iman Shumpert. While Howard wasn't particularly known for his footwork or post play during his All-Star career, sheer athleticism could get him far — and "Dancing With The Stars" doesn't require competitors to be able to make free throws.

After two years out of the league, Howard seems eager to remain in the spotlight, appearing on his second post-NBA reality show. He also may want to change the public narrative around him, two weeks after a former partner dropped a lawsuit against Howard that alleged sexual assault.

Perhaps Howard wants to remain visible to NBA teams as well. He had a brief flirtation with the Golden State Warriors last summer, who ultimately decided against signing Howard after he came in for a visit.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Dwight Howard news story without him bringing up his archrival, Shaquille O'Neal.

Howard is referring to an East team practice from 2007, when then-Miami center O'Neal started an impromptu dance battle with Howard and LeBron James.

Before O'Neal started criticizing Howard on "Inside The NBA," there was a time when the two were friendly — though still fierce competitors on the dance floor.

If "Dancing With The Stars" features breakdancing this season, Howard may be a real threat. Unfortunately, they may not have as much tolerance for Howard's world-renowned flatulence .

Magic teammate Glen "Big Baby" Davis eulogized Howard's time in Orlando by lamenting, "The thing we're going to miss most about Dwight is his farting ability. He can fart. He can fart loud — the loudest farts. Silent farts."

According to "World's Toughest Test" winner Hannah Brown, Howard farted relentlessly during the taping of their show. We'll see if that affects his performance on "DWTS," and see if Howard's dancing also stinks.