Al Horford, also known as "Big Al" is a Dominican-Bahamian basketball player currently donning the famed jersey of the Boston Celtics. Born on June 3, 1986, Horford stands as the sixth-oldest player in the NBA during the 2023-24 NBA season.
Born on June 3, 1986, in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, love for basketball ran deep in the Horford family as Al’s father, Tito Horford, also played in the NBA for three years and then various other countries. Tito set the stage for his son’s basketball journey, as under Tito's guidance, Al Horford started to become a great talent in childhood. In the late 90s, the Horford family moved to Lansing, Michigan. Here, at Grand Ledge High School Al Horford rose to prominence in the basketball circuit where he set several school records.
In his prime athletic days, Horford was an agile big man who could attack the rim and catch lobs, but in his later career, he transformed his gameplay since his athleticism had faded away. As the years progressed, Big Al showcased an elite display of footwork and started making some strategic post-up plays that allowed him to outmaneuver the toughest defenders.
Al Horford College
Al Horford played college basketball for the University of Florida.
Horford's college basketball tenure with the Florida Gators is absolutely legendary in the annals of college basketball history. Under the guidance of coach Billy Donovan, Hordford formed a formidable alliance with fellow teammates Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer, and Taurean Green.
In his debut 2004-05 season, Horford made an immediate impact as the starting center, contributing 5.6 points per game while playing a crucial role in the team's regular season success. The Gators had a record of 20–7 as they won the SEC championship with ease. Although the 2005 NCAA Tournament proved to be quite challenging, as the Gators lost in the second round against Villanova. In this game, Horford had only 4 points while playing 22 minutes.
However, in the 2005-06 season, Horford forged a lethal frontcourt alliance with the formidable Frenchman Joakim Noah as they became one of the deadliest duos in college basketball. This season, Horford's scoring surged from to 11.3 points per game as the Gators romped through the 2006 NCAA tournament to win their first-ever NCAA Championship.
During the 2006-07 college season, Gators finished the season 26–5, as they were seeking to defend their first-ever national title. Along the way, they clinched the SEC Championship and earned the No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Second year in a row, Gators romped through March Madness and reached the final. In the National Championship game against Ohio State, Horford delivered a crucial 18-point performance against the formidable center, Greg Oden, as the Florida Gators won their second consecutive NCAA championship. With this 2007 NCAA title, Florida became the first team since 1992 to repeat as National Champions. As of 2023, they remain the most recent team to achieve this feat.
Al Horford declared for the 2007 NBA draft but his legacy at the University of Florida is forever etched in the annals of college basketball.
Also read: Al Horford National Team
FAQs on Al-Horford
A. Al Horford played college ball at the University of Florida. Horford was part of famous back-to-back NCAA champions Gators teams.
A. The Celtics center stands at 6 ft 9 inches or 206 cm tall.
A. The Celtics center has not won an NBA championship until now. However, he has been named an All-Star five times.
A. On December 13, 2023, the Celtics big man scored a career-high 34 points against the Washington Wizards.
A. Jon Horford is the younger brother of Al-Horford. He was an alumnus of the Florida Gators, went undrafted in the 2015 NBA Draft.
A. The 2007 NBA Draft is still with the Boston Celtics. He is on a two-year contract worth $20 million and reserved until the 2025 offseason.
