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Former Gator Al Horford finally wins his first NBA title – ESPN 98.1 FM

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38-year-old Al Horford of the Boston Celtics won his first NBA title after 17 years in the league. The Dominican Republic native, who was drafted third overall out of the University of Florida by the Atlanta Hawks in 2007, contributed as a starter with nine points, two steals, nine rebounds and two assists in 31 minutes in Monday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. Horford’s ambition came to fruition at the age of 38, which has taken longer than most new NBA champions.

The journey

Horford has been added to the list of Florida alumni who have won NBA titles. He became the third former Gator to win an NBA and NCAA championship, following Corey Brewer and Marreese Speights. In 2006 and 2007, Brewer, Horford and Joakim Noah led the Gators to consecutive national titles.

On April 20, 2008, Horford played in his first ever playoff game as a rookie with the Atlanta Hawks, taking on the 2008 NBA Champion Celtics. He ranked second in NBA history for most postseason wins. games that were played without a championship coming into Game 5. Had the Celtics not won the 2024 championship and become the first team in history to take a 3-0 series lead, Horford would have surpassed Karl Malone in players who have played the most career playoff games without winning a championship.

Horford was selected by the Atlanta Hawks as the number three overall pick in the NBA Draft. He later signed with the Celtics in 2016 before signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. In 2020, he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and in 2021, the Thunder traded him back to Boston. He is no stranger to the NBA and will continue to be a big part of its history.

Last seconds

The former Gator helped the Boston Celtics defeat the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 on Monday to complete a 4-1 best-of-seven game series. The franchise now has an NBA record 18 championships to its name. For Horford, his journey is long and will continue, but the victory was sweet.

At the end of this long process for Horford, he hugged his daughter, who held a Dominican flag. They celebrated their victory and he is the first NBA champion born in the Dominican Republic.

His contract with the Celtics expires in a year, but with the championship trophy in his hand and declining numbers, will Horford call this win the end of the road? Time and a long offseason will tell.

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