Al Horford
Five-time NBA All-Star and NBA champion who played nine seasons for the Atlanta Hawks.
Alfred Joel Horford Reynoso (born June 3, 1986), nicknamed "Big Al", is a Dominican professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is a five-time NBA All-Star and an NBA champion.
- Jersey Number (Atlanta)
- 15
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Horford played college basketball for the Florida Gators and was the starting center on their back-to-back NCAA national championship teams in 2006 and 2007. He was drafted with the third overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks, with whom he played nine seasons before signing with the Celtics as a free agent in the 2016 offseason. After three seasons in Boston, Horford played for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Oklahoma City Thunder before being traded back to the Celtics prior to the 2021 season. He reached the NBA Finals with the Celtics in 2022 and 2024, winning his first NBA title in 2024.
In Their Own Story
On January 13, 2015, Horford recorded his first career triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 105–87 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Earlier that season, on December 22, 2014, he was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from December 15 to December 21. Horford earned the award for just the second time in his career. In 2014–15, he played in 76 regular season games, the most since the 2010–11 season.
Reader's Guide
Horford was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the third overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft. As a rookie in 2007–08, he was the only player unanimously selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and was runner-up for Rookie of the Year. He became the first Hawks draft pick to earn an All-Star berth since Kevin Willis in 1992, earning All-Star selections in 2010 and 2011. He signed a five-year, $60 million contract extension with the Hawks on November 1, 2010. In the 2012–13 season, he averaged a career-high 17.4 points and 10.2 rebounds. He suffered a torn left pectoral muscle in January 2012, missing most of that season, and also missed time due to injury in the 2013–14 season. He played nine seasons for the Hawks before leaving as a free agent in 2016.
Did You Know?
- Horford was born in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
- His father, Tito Horford, played in the NBA for three years.
- Horford holds seven school records at Grand Ledge High School, including most career points (1,239).
- He was the starting center on Florida's back-to-back NCAA national championship teams in 2006 and 2007.
- Horford was the only player unanimously selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2008.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Al Horford to the Atlanta Hawks?
He served as a cornerstone player drafted in 2007 who provided essential stability and leadership during the franchise's rebuilding years.
What jersey number did he wear in Atlanta?
Horford wore number 15 throughout his tenure with the team, making it one of the most recognizable numbers in recent Hawks history.
When did Al Horford leave the franchise?
He departed via free agency in July 2016 to join the Boston Celtics after nearly a decade with the organization.
What skills defined his play for Atlanta?
Fans remember him for his high basketball IQ and defensive versatility, which allowed him to anchor the team effectively on both ends of the floor.
Why does he remain a key part of Hawks history?
His legacy remains significant because he bridged the gap between older eras and the new generation of players that followed his departure.
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