Robert Horry

Big Shot Rob: Seven-time NBA champion known for clutch shooting.

Robert Keith Horry (born August 25, 1970) is an American sports commentator and former professional basketball player who played in the NBA as a member of the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs. Nicknamed 'Big Shot Rob', Horry was a member of seven NBA championship winning teams over his 16-year career.

Quick Facts

Born: 25 August 1970
Birthplace: Harford County, Maryland, U.S.
High school: Andalusia (Andalusia, Alabama)
College: Alabama (1988–1992)
Draft round: 1
Draft pick: 11
Drafted by: Houston Rockets
Career position: Power forward; small forward

Lore & Background

Horry was selected 11th overall in the 1992 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets as a small forward. He helped the Rockets win the NBA championship in 1994 and 1995. He set an individual NBA Finals record with seven steals in a game. During his years with the Rockets, Horry wore number 25.

In Game 7 of the 1993 Western Conference Semifinals against the Seattle SuperSonics, he hit a jump shot with the shot clock expiring and 33 seconds left in regulation to put the Rockets up 93–91, but the Rockets lost in overtime. In February 1994, he and Matt Bullard were traded to the Detroit Pistons for Sean Elliott, but the trade was rescinded due to Elliott's failed physical. Horry built his 'Big Shot' reputation in the 1995 playoffs with a game-winning jumper in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs and a three-pointer in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic. He later said the 1995 championship was the one he was most proud of because the Rockets were the sixth seed.

Reader's Guide

Horry played for the Houston Rockets from 1992 to 1996, then was traded to the Phoenix Suns on August 19, 1996. With the Suns, he had an altercation with head coach Danny Ainge on January 5, 1997, and was suspended for two games. On January 10, 1997, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he wore number 5. He helped the Lakers win championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002. In Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals against the Sacramento Kings, he hit a three-pointer as time expired to win the game 100–99. He signed with the San Antonio Spurs after the 2002–03 season and helped them win the 2005 NBA Finals, hitting a game-winning three-pointer in Game 5 with 5.9 seconds left.

Did You Know?

Horry set an NBA playoff record for most three-point shots without a miss (seven in a row) on May 6, 1997.
He graduated from the University of Alabama in spring 2021, years after his playing career.
Horry's 15 three-point shots in the 2005 NBA Finals was a finals record until 2019.