Florida on Monday won its first men’s basketball national championship since Al Horford, Joakim Noah and Corey Brewer led the Gators to back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007.
Horford was on hand to witness the end of that drought.
Ahead of the Celtics’ road game against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, the veteran big man flew to San Antonio to attend Florida’s 65-63 victory over Houston along with his son, Ean.
“It’s unreal,” Horford told CBS Sports’ John Fanta while celebrating on the court after the game. “I’m so proud of these Gator boys and Gator nation. Just so happy for the university for getting that third national championship, putting basketball back at the top again.”
Horford was able to enjoy the moment without having to worry about suiting up the following night. The Celtics ruled the 38-year-old out for Tuesday’s game at Madison Square Garden, continuing Horford’s standard practice of sitting out one end of back-to-backs.
Boston listed Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis as questionable and Derrick White and Jrue Holiday as probable against the Knicks. Head coach Joe Mazzulla likely will look to rest some or most of those starters either Tuesday night or Wednesday in Orlando as he prepares the Celtics’ roster for the looming postseason.
The Celtics have just two additional regular-season games remaining (home against Charlotte on Friday and Sunday) before the NBA playoffs begin next weekend.
Horford ended his 17-year wait for an NBA championship last season, and the Celtics now are looking to become the league’s first repeat champion since 2018. If they do, Horford would join an exclusive club. Just three players in history have won back-to-back titles at the NCAA and NBA levels: Bill Russell, KC Jones and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
And he remains hungry for more. While praising Florida star Walter Clayton Jr., Horford indicated he plans to return for a 19th NBA season.
“(Clayton is) just a winner,” Horford told Fanta. “He knows how to play, and I know that I’m going to be playing against him next year in the pros, in the NBA. Maybe he’ll be with us; who knows? But I’m sure he’ll be playing in the NBA.”
Whether Horford still will be with the Celtics when Clayton enters the pros remains to be seen. He is in the final year of his contract, and Boston could face a roster crunch this offseason as it navigates new luxury tax penalties. Horford remains a valuable player for the C’s, however, starting 41 games this season and delivering standout performances against the likes of Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James.
Since the start of March, Horford is averaging 12.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, and the Celtics have won 11 of their last 12 games with him in the lineup.
