Robert Horry

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Horry was selected 11th overall in the 1992 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets as a small forward. He spent his first four seasons with the Rockets, helping them win the NBA championship in 1994 and 1995. During his years with the Rockets, Horry wore number 25. He set an individual NBA Finals record with seven steals in a game. In February 1994, he and Matt Bullard were traded to the Detroit Pistons for Sean Elliott, but Elliott failed a physical because of kidney problems, so the trade was rescinded. Horry said that the trade falling through probably saved his career.

In Their Own Story

In Game 7 of the 1993 Western Conference Semifinals against the Seattle SuperSonics, Horry hit a jump shot with the shot clock expiring and 33 seconds left in regulation to put the Rockets up 93–91. The Rockets lost in overtime and lost the series. In February 1994, he and Matt Bullard were traded to the Detroit Pistons for Sean Elliott, but Elliott failed a physical because of kidney problems, so the trade was rescinded. Horry said that the trade falling through probably saved his career.

Reader's Guide

Horry wore number 25 during his entire tenure with the Houston Rockets (1992–1996). He switched to number 5 after being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1997 because the Lakers had retired jersey number 25 to honor Gail Goodrich.

Did You Know?

• Horry set an individual NBA Finals record with seven steals in a game.
• He hit a game-winning three-pointer as time expired in Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals against the Sacramento Kings.
• Horry graduated from the University of Alabama in spring 2021, years after his playing career.