SAN JUAN (AP) — Al Horford is on a pedestal in the Dominican Republic: the Boston Celtics center became the first player from the Caribbean country to win an NBA title on Monday.
Horford – whose full name is Alfred Joel Horford Reynoso – was congratulated by the country’s president, international bachata stars and other personalities after he finally won a championship in his 17th season.
“Al Horford has made history as the first Dominican to win an NBA final series,” said the president, Luis Abinader in X. “What great pride for our country! Congratulations on your incredible achievement.” The tweet included an emoji with the Dominican flag and the hashtag #OrgulloDominicano.
The Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 to win the franchise’s 18th championship, breaking a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers as the most successful team in history.
“I feel proud to represent all Dominicans, not only there, but in the world because I know they are in different places in Europe and here in the United States,” said Horford, who had a Dominican Republic flag on his waist. , while posing for photos with the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Rachel Quezada, a 38-year-old auditor in Santo Domingo Este, said she followed the entire series waiting for the victory of Boston, whose collective talent she never doubted.
“I love that you can say that he is a person who does not forget his roots,” Quezada told The Associated Press. “The team had a masterful performance from the beginning.”
Horford, from Puerto Plata, joins the small list of Latin American players to win an NBA title: Argentines Manu Ginobili and Fabricio Oberto, Puerto Ricans Butch Lee and JJ Barea, Venezuelan Carl Herrera, Brazilian Leandro Barbosa, and the Mexican Juan Toscano-Anderson.
Dominican maestro Juan Luis Guerra also congratulated the 38-year-old Celtics star with a post from the basketball team on Instagram and a message that read: “Glory to God!!”
The sports minister of the Dominican Republic published a photo in X that said: “Dominican Pride.”
Horford got his first ring in his 15th playoff appearance. The 38-year-old center has played in two Finals. He is the son of Tito Horford, a retired NBA basketball star who played for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Horford moved to Michigan with his family from the Dominican Republic before heading to Florida to play college basketball for the Gators.
