Howell was born in rural Mississippi and attended Mississippi State University, where he was a two-time All-SEC selection. He was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 1959 NBA Draft and played for the Pistons for four seasons. He was then traded to the Baltimore Bullets, where he played for two seasons. In 1965, he was traded to the Boston Celtics, where he would spend the remainder of his career.
During his time with the Celtics, Howell was a key member of the team's championship runs in 1968 and 1969. He was a consistent scorer and rebounder, averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game in his first two seasons with the Celtics. He was also a great defender, often guarding the opposing team's best player.
Howell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997. He is remembered as one of the greatest players of his era and one of the best power forwards in NBA history. He was a great scorer, rebounder, and defender, and his contributions to the Celtics' championship teams will never be forgotten.
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