Fact check: This video features Dwight Howard speaking on the PBD Podcast.

Verdict: mostly true — Trust Score 82/100

This video is an authentic segment from the PBD Podcast (Episode #319) featuring former NBA star Dwight Howard. The claims regarding Kobe Bryant's 38-inch vertical and Michael Jordan's 48-inch vertical are confirmed by 12 sources as standard NBA lore, though Howard's personal claims about touching the top of the backboard (13 feet) are physically inconsistent with his stated 39-inch vertical leap.

Platform
youtube
Original post
https://youtube.com/shorts/nnJIToNeBQE?si=D2KoGPA0vIt9tUH7
Verified on
June 1, 2026
Verification ID
NItriXWzdv6hJl9EC96qoQ

Original content reviewed

Platform: YOUTUBE

Claims analyzed (6)

  1. verified: This video features Dwight Howard speaking on the PBD Podcast.
    The video is a direct clip from the PBD Podcast hosted by Patrick Bet-David, featuring Dwight Howard as the guest in an episode released in June 2025.
  2. verified: Kobe Bryant's vertical leap was 38 inches.
    Kobe Bryant's vertical leap is widely recorded and cited by sports analysts and databases as 38 inches.
  3. mostly true: Michael Jordan's vertical leap was 48 inches.
    While 48 inches is the most commonly cited figure for Jordan (reportedly from UNC testing), Jordan himself has stated his vertical was never officially measured, and many experts believe the true figure was between 42-46 inches.
  4. mixed: Dwight Howard's vertical leap was 39 inches.
    Howard's official 2004 NBA Combine max vertical was 35.5 inches. While he may have reached 39 inches during his physical peak, the 39-inch figure is a personal claim rather than an official record.
  5. unverifiable: Dwight Howard touched the top of the backboard (13 feet).
    The top of a standard NBA backboard is 13 feet high. With a standing reach of 9'4.5", Howard would need a 43.5-inch vertical to touch the top. There is no filmed evidence of him successfully doing so, despite his claims.
  6. misleading: Dwight Howard dunked on a 12-foot 7-inch goal.
    Howard famously dunked on a 12-foot rim during the 2009 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, setting a record. There is no official record of him dunking on a 12'7" rim; this likely refers to his maximum reach or is a verbal exaggeration.

Sources consulted (19)

Related verifications

AI-generated analysis. Not a substitute for professional fact-checking.