NBA Champion Receives High Honor from Home Country, Left 'Overwhelmed'

Any aspiring basketball player dreams of one day making the NBA and hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Veteran power forward Al Horford finally got to experience that feeling when he helped the Boston Celtics defeat the Dallas Mavericks to win the 2023-24 NBA Finals in his 18th season in the league.

Like any NBA Champion, Horford got to spend some time with the Larry O'Brien Trophy this summer, opting to bring the hardware to his home country of the Dominican Republic. The visit included a meeting with Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, who had a surprise in store for the new champion.

In front of his family and Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, Horford was awarded the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez, and Mella in the degree of Knight — the Dominican Republic's highest honor — by Abinader.

"I knew I was going to come meet the president, but I didn't know I was gonna get the highest award," Horford said after receiving the honor. "I feel very proud right now. Very overwhelmed with a lot of emotion. Very, very special day for me today."

Horford has always represented his country with pride, so it isn't surprising to see the Dominican Republic honoring his latest accomplishment. He spent four years (2018-12) playing for the national team, which includes a bronze medal finish at the 2011 FIBA AmeriCup.

After receiving his country's award, Horford must now focus on the upcoming 2024-25 NBA season. The former Florida product is coming off the quietest season of his career that saw him average 8.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists with .511/.419/.867 splits in 65 games. He also averaged 9.2 points and 7.0 assists in 19 games during Boston's championship run.

Horford's first taste of action will come when the Celtics raise their 18th championship banner in a home opener against the New York Knicks on October 22.