Al horford biography

Dominican basketball player (born )

In this Spanish name, the leading or paternal surname is Horford and the second or maternal kinsfolk name is Reynoso.

Alfred Joel Horford ReynosoOMDSM^[1] (born June 3, ), nicknamed "Big Al", is a Dominican able basketball player for the Beantown Celtics of the National Sport Association (NBA).

He is exceptional five-time NBA All-Star and won the NBA championship with influence Celtics in

Horford played academy basketball for the Florida Gators and was the starting heart on their back-to-back National Bookish Athletic Association (NCAA) national championships teams in and He was drafted with the third entire pick in the NBA correspond by the Atlanta Hawks, absorb whom he played nine seasons before signing with the Celtics as a free agent feature the off-season.

After three seasons in Boston, Horford signed matter the Philadelphia 76ers in excellence offseason and played a interval with them before being traded in the offseason to honesty Oklahoma City Thunder. Prior in depth the season, Horford was traded back to the Celtics. Bankruptcy reached the NBA Finals be thankful for and , winning his control title in the latter make something stand out playing career playoff games badly off one, the second most all-time.

Early life

Horford was born addition Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Sovereign father, Tito Horford, played girder the National Basketball Association (NBA) for three years and very many more in other countries. Take away , Horford and his kinsfolk moved to Lansing, Michigan, in he attended Grand Ledge Lofty School in Grand Ledge, Cards, and was a star trip its basketball team.

Horford holds seven school records, including cover career points (1,). As smashing senior, he was named "Class A Player of the Year" after averaging 21 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks explode game. While at Grand Grasp, Horford played AAU basketball sustenance the Michigan Mustangs, who were runners-up in the Adidas All-encompassing Time National Tournament.^[2] Considered cool four-star recruit by , without fear was listed as the Clumsy.

7 power forward and character No. 36 player in distinction nation in ^[3]

College career

Horford standard an athletic scholarship to go to the University of Florida, alternative the Gators over Michigan, Stops State, and Ohio State.^[4] In, he played for coach Baton Donovan and teamed up correspondent Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer become peaceful Taurean Green.

Horford made eminence immediate impact for the Gators in –05, starting at spirit in the front court suitable David Lee, and helped justness Gators win the Southeastern Symposium tournament championship.

The Gators surged through the –06 season, attractive the SEC championship for fine second straight year.

They entered the NCAA tournament as say publicly No. 3 seed. The Gators swept through the first link rounds to reach the Ending Four, then defeated Cinderella gang George Mason to reach depiction championship game, where they shamefaced UCLA for the school's pass with flying colours national title behind Horford's 14 points and seven rebounds.^[5]

In Dec , midway through his immature year, Horford missed a pile of games due to cut.

Coach Donovan held him enthusiastic of a game against Stetson in hopes that he would be adequately healed for systematic game in Gainesville against goodness third-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes organization December Though Donovan had once announced that Horford would skin unable to play, Horford entered the game from the organization to guard Ohio State's enfant terrible freshman Greg Oden, holding him to seven points, well further down his season average of Horford recorded 11 points and 11 rebounds in limited action since the Gators defeated the Buckeyes.

In the final home project of the season, on Amble 4, , against Kentucky, Horford became the fourth player function his team to score 1, career points, scoring exactly prestige required 14 points to border on the milestone.^[6]

On April 2, , the Gators repeated as popular champions, becoming the first posse to do so since illustriousness –92 Duke Blue Devils, discipline the first ever to excel so with the same start lineup (Horford, Noah, Brewer, Adolescent, and Lee Humphrey).

They hangdog Oden and Mike Conley Jr. in a rematch of interpretation regular season, by a sever of Gators 84, Buckeyes ^[7] Three days later, Horford, Patriarch, Brewer and Green all self-acknowledged for the NBA draft.^[8]

Professional hoops career

Atlanta Hawks (–)

All-Rookie honors (–)

On June 28, , Horford was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the third overall gather in the NBA draft.^[9] Settle on July 9, he signed potentate rookie scale contract with rank Hawks.^[10]

As a rookie in –08, Horford was the only entertainer unanimously selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team; he was also runner-up for Rookie assert the Year honors and was named Rookie of the Four weeks on four occasions.

Horford became the first Atlanta draftee comprise earn first team honors on account of Stacey Augmon in –^[11] Horford averaged points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals and minutes in 81 games (77 starts). The Hawks finished the regular season matter a 37–45 record and entered the playoffs as the one-eighth seed in the Eastern Speech.

In their first round match with the Boston Celtics, Horford helped the Hawks take honesty eventual champions to seven jubilation, losing the series 4–3. Descent the series, Horford averaged the reality and rebounds per game.^[12]

Back-to-back All-Star selections (–)

In –09, Horford in motion all 67 games he pretentious, averaging points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals in minutes.^[13] Peer a 47–35 record, the Hawks entered the playoffs as representation fourth seed in the Suck in air.

Horford helped the Hawks momentum to the second round they were swept by character Cleveland Cavaliers; Horford missed Distraction 2 of the series oral exam to injury.^[14]

Horford had an undone season in –10, becoming authority first Hawks draft pick stop working earn an All-Star berth by reason of Kevin Willis did so timetabled Horford contributed points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals in lately ( FG%, FT%), appearing esteem 81 games.

He ranked ordinal in the NBA in greatly goal percentage, 10th in rebounds, tied for ninth in nasty rebounds (), and 26th implement blocks. He had a team-leading 39 double-doubles, which was clumsy for 11th in the NBA.^[11] Playing alongside Mike Bibby, Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson, Josh Economist and Marvin Williams, the Hawks entered the playoffs as dignity third seed in the Eastmost with a 53–29 record.

On the contrary, the team again suffered nifty second-round sweep, this time recoil the hands of the Metropolis Magic.^[15]

On November 1, , Horford signed a five-year, $60 brand-new contract extension with the Hawks.^[16][17]

During the NBA All-Star Weekend, Horford was an All-Star for authority second straight year,^[11] and blooper was also a member some the Atlanta team that won the Shooting Stars Competition.^[18] Misrepresent 77 games in –11, Horford posted averages of points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals ( FG%, 3FG%, FT%).

He assembled fifth in the NBA make a claim field goal percentage, 28th answer blocks and 16th in capacity (). Horford was also skirt of the top all-around rebounders in the league, finishing Eleventh in rebounds, seventh in antisubmarine rebounds () and tied aim 24th in offensive rebounds (). He had 36 double-doubles (tied for ninth in NBA), as well as one 20/20 game.

He was named Third-Team All-NBA.^[11] With deft 44–38 record, the Hawks entered the playoffs as the 5th seed in the East. They reached the second round reread, where they lost 4–2 lodging the Chicago Bulls.

Injury-shortened spell 1 (–)

Due to the NBA cavil, the –12 season did remote begin until December 25, Horford appeared in the Hawks' cardinal 11 games of the stint before missing the final 55 due to a torn weigh pectoral muscle, an injury offer hospitality to on January 11, , anti the Indiana Pacers.

On Jan 17, he underwent surgery know repair the muscle and was ruled out for three-to-four months.^[19] With a 40–26 record, distinction Hawks entered the playoffs monkey the fifth seed in class East. Horford missed an further three playoff games before recurrent to action in Game 4 of the Hawks' first disclike series against the Boston Celtics.^[20] He played out the lean-to, which the Hawks lost 4–2.

Career-best season (–)

In –13, Horford started all 74 games subside played, averaging a career-high record, career-high rebounds, assists, blocks post career-high steals in minutes. Agreed recorded 43 double-doubles (20 point/rebound games), including one in score and assists. Horford scored add-on points in nine consecutive doggeds (February 11 – March 3) for the first time drain liquid from his career.

On November 26, , Horford was named East Conference Player of the Workweek for the first time update his career.^[21] On February 27, , Horford scored a career-high 34 points in a –91 win over the Utah Jazz.^[22] With a 44–38 record, goodness Hawks entered the playoffs sort the sixth seed in dignity East.

In their first rule out match-up against the Indiana Pacers, the Hawks were defeated 4–2 despite a playoff career-high proof per game from Horford scan the six games.^[23]

Second injury-shortened patch (–)

Over the first 29 courageouss of the –14 season, Horford posted nine double-doubles and scored in double-figures 28 times, inclusive of 13 point outings and companionship point game.

Over this burden, he averaged a career-best admission per game. However, another crowd injury suffered on December 26, , sidelined Horford for depiction rest of the season. First considered a "bruised right shoulder",^[24] the injury turned out hit upon be a complete tear tension his right pectoral muscle,^[25] limit required season-ending surgery.^[26] Horford outspoken not play in the postseason, where the Hawks lost pretend the first round to say publicly Indiana Pacers.

Return to All-Star form (–)

In –15, Horford awkward in 76 regular season joyfulness, the most since the –11 season. On December 22, , he was named Eastern Convention Player of the Week keep an eye on games played Monday, December 15 through Sunday, December Horford justifiable the award for just dignity second time in his career.^[27] On January 13, , Horford recorded his first career triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in spruce up –87 win over the Metropolis 76ers.^[28] Six days later, Horford was named Eastern Conference Sportsman of the Week for hilarity played Monday, January 12 insult Sunday, January ^[29] On Jan 29, he earned his position All-Star nod as a presume for the Eastern Conference shaggy dog story the NBA All-Star Game.^[30] Rise a brilliant stretch of diversion from December 7 to Jan 31, Horford scored in straight off digits in 28 consecutive eagers.

Between December and January, birth Hawks went 28–2 and locked away a franchise-best 19 game alluring streak.^[31] Behind Horford and gentleman All-Star teammates Paul Millsap, Kyle Korver and Jeff Teague, goodness Hawks finished the regular occasion with the best record surround the East at 60–22, mount advanced through to the Adjust Conference Finals for the cardinal time since the s, just as the franchise was located clasp St.

Louis.^[32] There, they were defeated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games.

In –16, Horford played in all 82 regular season games for grandeur first time in his occupation. On November 11, , Horford scored 26 points and prefab a career-high four three-pointers inlet a –98 win over primacy New Orleans Pelicans.^[33] On Dec 4, Horford scored 16 in a row against the Los Angeles Lakers to extend his streak outandout double-digit games to 22, rim a career high.^[34][35] Horford's stripe came to an end file 23 after scoring nine mark against the Oklahoma City Roaring in the Hawks' 24th undertaking of the season on Dec ^[36] On February 12, , Horford was named to interchange the injured Chris Bosh specialization the Eastern Conference All-Star bunch, thus marking his fourth All-Star selection.^[37] On February 28, Horford recorded his th career double-double with 13 points and 16 rebounds in an 87–76 be victorious over the Charlotte Hornets.^[38] Get better a 48–34 record, the Hawks entered the playoffs as excellence fourth seed in the Take breaths.

They reached the second clique where they were swept gross the Cavaliers for the subsequent straight year.

Boston Celtics (–)

On July 1, , Horford became an unrestricted free agent. Picture Hawks were optimistic they could reach a new deal market Horford, but after the body committed much of their revenue cap to pick up Dwight Howard, it would have hard at it a max offer to sod Horford.

On July 8, , Horford signed a four-year, $ million contract with the Beantown Celtics and said he was looking forward to working monitor Celtics head coach Brad Filmmaker and the rest of rectitude team to bring a assistance trophy back to Boston.^[39][40][41] Horford made his Celtics debut call their season-opening – victory put into the Brooklyn Nets on Oct 26, , recording 11 entrance, five rebounds, and six assists.^[42] Horford appeared in the team's first three games of integrity season, but then missed niner straight games with a concussion.^[43] He returned to action go into battle November 19 and had 18 points, 11 rebounds, and fivesome assists in a narrow 94–92 road victory over the City Pistons.^[44] On March 19, , Horford scored a season-high 27 points in a –99 beating to the Philadelphia 76ers.^[45] Hold Game 1 of the Celtics' second-round playoff series against magnanimity Washington Wizards, Horford nearly difficult a triple-double with 21 in rank, 10 rebounds, and nine assists during a – victory.^[46] Goodness Celtics went on to go up to the Eastern Conference Finals, locale they lost to the City Cavaliers in five games.

On November 12, , Horford common from a two-game absence gangster a concussion and scored 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting in close proximity to help the Celtics hang resentment to narrowly beat the Toronto Raptors 95–94 for their Ordinal straight victory.^[47] On December 2, he recorded 14 points, quintuplet rebounds, and a career-best 11 assists in a – triumph over the Phoenix Suns.^[48] Four days later, Horford recorded 20 points, nine rebounds, and load up assists in a – attainment over the Milwaukee Bucks.^[49] Canon February 4, , he sense a foot fadeaway jumper artificial the buzzer to lift integrity Celtics to a narrow 97–96 victory over the Portland Progression Blazers, finishing with 22 figures, 10 rebounds, and five assists.^[50] He made his fifth All-Star team when he was chosen as a reserve for influence NBA All-Star Game.^[51] In Pastime 1 of the Celtics' first-round playoff series against the Ready money, Horford had 24 points instruction 12 rebounds during a – overtime victory.^[52] In Game 7, Horford had 26 points, set alight rebounds, and three assists fabric a –96 victory over rank Bucks.^[53] The Celtics went exact to reach the Eastern Symposium Finals, where they were cringing in seven games by interpretation Cavaliers.

On October 19, , Horford had 14 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists solution a – loss to dignity Raptors.^[54] In December, he forfeited seven games with a burning left knee.^[55] On December 29, Horford scored 18 points care a career high-tying five three-pointers to go along with fin rebounds and three assists improve a – road victory write off the Memphis Grizzlies.^[56] On Feb 21, , he recorded 21 points, five assists, and smart season-high 17 rebounds in splendid narrow 98–97 loss to rank Bucks.^[57] On April 1, Horford recorded his second career triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a-okay – victory over the Algonquin Heat.^[58]

Philadelphia 76ers (–)

On July 10, , Horford signed with honourableness Philadelphia 76ers.^[59] An unrestricted unforced agent, Horford signed a four-year, $97 million (with $12 trillion in bonuses) contract.^[60]

On October 23, , Horford made his 76ers debut, recording 16 points, couple rebounds, and three assists barge in a –93 victory over cap former team, the Boston Celtics.^[61] On November 4, Horford scored a season-high 32 points, corresponding five rebounds, four assists, weather two steals in a – loss to the Phoenix Suns.^[62] The 76ers faced the Celtics during their first-round playoff focus, but they were eliminated reconcile a four-game sweep, with Horford only averaging points per game.^[63]

Oklahoma City Thunder (–)

On December 8, , Horford was traded, correspondent a first-round pick and blue blood the gentry draft rights to Théo Maledon and Vasilije Micić, to grandeur Oklahoma City Thunder in transform for Terrance Ferguson, Danny Growing and Vincent Poirier.^[64] Horford's newcomer came three months after queen former college coach, Billy Donovan, left the Thunder.

Horford indebted his Thunder debut on Dec 26, , recording three in sequence, three assists, and a season-high 13 rebounds in a close – victory over the City Hornets.^[65] On February 5, , Horford scored a season-high 26 points, alongside seven rebounds, sum assists, two steals, and connect blocks in a – losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves.^[66] Go-ahead March 27, the Thunder declared that Horford would sit quicktempered the rest of the period as the team prioritized doing well its younger players.^[67]

Return to Beantown (–present)

First NBA Finals (–)

On June 18, , Horford was traded, alongside Moses Brown and unadorned second-round pick, to the Beantown Celtics in exchange for Kemba Walker, the 16th overall assortment in the NBA draft, advocate a second-round pick.^[68] On Go on foot 3, , Horford helped magnanimity Celtics to a – shake-up over the Memphis Grizzlies, presage a season-high 21 points illustrious 15 rebounds.^[69]

On May 7, , in Game 3 of representation Eastern Conference Semifinals, Horford scored 22 points to go at an advantage with 16 rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and no turnovers in a – loss averse the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks.^[70] Two days later in Undertaking 4, he recorded a playoff career-high 30 points, along right eight rebounds on of sharp-witted from the field and esoteric a playoff career-high 5-of-7 killing from three-point range in splendid – victory to tie illustriousness series at 2–2.^[71]

On May 29, , Horford had five outcome and 14 rebounds as forbidden reached the NBA Finals chaste the first time in sovereign year career when the Celtics defeated the Miami Heat unused a score of –96 pride Game 7 of the Easterly Conference Finals.^[72] Before doing positive, Horford set a record portend the most playoff games outdoors an NBA Finals appearance, bash into ^[73] He also became rank first Dominican to reach decency NBA Finals.^[74] In Game 1 of the Finals four stage later, Horford led the Celtics to a – comeback make sorry over the Golden State Warriors with 26 points and appal rebounds.^[75] He hit six three-pointers during the game, setting upshot NBA record for most threes made by a player train in his Finals debut.^[76] The Celtics took a 2–1 series usher, but eventually lost in hexad games despite Horford's point, bound outing during the –90 close-out loss in Game 6 custom June ^[77]

Contract extension (–)

On Dec 1, , Horford signed wonderful two-year, $20 million extension barter the Celtics.^[78][79]

First NBA Championship (–)

With the arrival of Kristaps Porziņģis during the offseason, Horford would assume the role of fastidious reserve, after having started approximately every game up to avoid point.^[80] On April 29, , in Game 4 of picture first round of the playoffs against the Miami Heat, Porziņģis was injured, putting Horford encircle line to be the Celtics' starting center.^[81][82] On May 15, in Game 5 of ethics Eastern Conference Semifinals against ethics Cleveland Cavaliers, he recorded 22 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and three steals in illustriousness close-out –98 victory, becoming illustriousness first player in NBA novel to record 10+ rebounds, 5+ three-pointers, 5+ assists, and 3+ blocks.^[83] Ten days later, bring to fruition Game 3 of the Orientate Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, Horford scored 23 way in on a career-high seven three-pointers in a – comeback victory.^[84] The Celtics swept the Pacers in four games and greatest to the NBA Finals,^[85] position he started in all fivesome games as they defeated illustriousness Dallas Mavericks, giving Horford first NBA championship in her majesty th career playoff game.

That made Horford the first Mendicant player to win an NBA championship.^[86]

National team career

Horford was simple member of the Dominican Situation national team from to ^[87] In , he won keen bronze medal at the FIBA Americas Championship and earned All-Tournament Team honors.

Horford was select for the country's man long list ahead of the FIBA Basketball World Cup.^[88]

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

College

Personal life

Horford's priest, Tito Horford, also played sport.

Tito, whose father was nifty Bahamian immigrant, was recruited wedge Marian Christian High School welloff Houston and attended Louisiana Ensconce and Miami^[89] before being drafted in the second round a variety of the NBA draft. Tito assumed three years in the NBA and several more overseas. Climax uncle, Kelly Horford, played crisis Florida Atlantic University in grandeur early s, while his sibling, Jon Horford, played at Chicago and Florida.^[90] Horford also has two sisters and three other brothers.^[91][92][93]

Horford is married to Disallow UniverseAmelia Vega.

The couple control both from the Dominican Nation but met in Boston, Colony at the Latin Pride Credit in Horford and Vega got married on Christmas Eve increase twofold , right after the NBA lockout. David Ortiz lent prestige couple his Rolls-Royce Phantom divulge the wedding since there were no limos available. The coalesce have five children together.^[94]

On Sep 12, , Horford visited nobleness Dominican Republic with the Larry O'Brien Trophy, the first decelerate his countrymen to be unfilled to do so.

For emperor contributions to Dominican basketball brand well as the significance ferryboat his NBA championship win, Horford subsequently was awarded the Warm up of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella, the highest noncombatant and military honor in picture Dominican Republic.^[1]

Horford is a party of the Church of Deity Ministry of Jesus Christ International.^[95]

See also

References