“I knew it was going to be hard. Missing his mom, coming from a different country to Michigan, where it’s winter almost all year round. But we knew he had a better opportunity to fulfill his dreams,” Tito Horford recalled of the time when young Al Horford had to leave behind everything familiar in pursuit of his basketball dreams. Two decades later, Horford now stands proudly as an NBA champion, having teamed up with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to clinch the championship title in the 2023-24 season, and has become a national hero.

Al Horford’s impact has significantly boosted basketball viewership among people from his home country. So, it’s not surprising that current Atlanta Razorbacks head coach John Calipari reportedly stated, “In that country, if Al Horford runs for president, he’s winning.” The 38-year-old NBA star frequently speaks about his family heritage, showing great pride in his roots. With that, let’s dive deeper into his background and the journey that shaped him.

What is Al Horford’s Ethnicity?

Horford was born in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic—a city nearly 2,509 kilometers from the place with which he is now most associated. This makes him Dominican by nationality, though his ethnicity is Bahamian. His paternal grandparents reportedly immigrated to the Dominican Republic at an unknown point in their lives. His father, Tito Horford, was also born in the Dominican Republic.

Raised in the city of San Pedro de Macorís, Tito Horford’s hometown has reportedly produced many sports enthusiasts over the years. However, the majority of them were focused on just one: Baseball. In an interview with the Washington Post, Al’s father revealed that he too pursued the bat and ball game initially. However, he switched fields upon realizing that his height could give him an advantage in basketball. Fate led him to the United States, where he enrolled at the University of Miami and earned the nickname “Tito Horford: the Accidental Tourist” from the Washington Post. Eventually, he was selected as the 39th pick in the 1988 NBA draft.

Tito remained in the NBA for five years. He even played against Michael Jordan in three separate games during his time with the Milwaukee Bucks. Tito’s career laid the foundation for an ambition that Al Horford would one day embrace as his own.

Tim Horford divorced his wife and Al’s mother, Arelis Reynoso, in 1989. After relocating to the US, he remarried. Despite this, he continued to be an important part of his son’s life. His father’s influence, combined with the knowledge that he gained from the articles that his mother wrote as a sports journalist, reportedly helped Al develop a love for basketball.

At just six years old, Al told his mother he wanted to join an academy. After a few sessions, Teresa Durán—a celebrated former player on the Dominican women’s Olympic team—had nothing but praise for him. Durán reportedly told Arelis: “I believe your son will be a fantastic basketball player. I have taught for many years, but Al is special. He not only learns the concepts, but he has a natural talent for this sport.”

Al grew up in his birthplace till the age of 14. However, his parents decided that the young basketball enthusiast should move in with his father and relocate to Michigan. Facing difficulty with English, Arelis revealed how her son would struggle. “For us, it was really so hard. He’d call and say ‘Mommy please, can you please come to (the) United States?’” Eventually, Al’s mother too relocated to the US.

After high school, Al Horford accepted an athletic scholarship and devoted three years to the University of Florida. Along with an average score of 10.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, the player also played a role in securing the NCAA championship title for the Gators during both his sophomore and junior years. Choosing not to stay for another year, Al declared for the 2007 NBA draft and the Atlanta Hawks eventually selected him. The rest, as they say, is history.

Despite having called Boston his home for six years, at two different intervals, Al Horford still holds his roots close to his heart. In turn, the people have well received his love for the Dominican Republic, to the point that he has become somewhat of a national hero.

“I feel proud” – Al Horford represents the Dominican Republic with pride

Al Horford has represented the NBA for over 17 years now. However, he has returned to his home country to represent the national team on several instances. Under his leadership, the Dominican National Men’s Basketball Team secured the bronze medal during the 2008 Mexico EuroBasket games, and then Gold during the 2012 games, held in Puerto Rico. He also played a big role in winning the bronze for the national team during the 2011 Argentina FIBA AmeriCup.

Tito Horford was the first Dominican-born player in the NBA, but it is his son, Al, who has become a celebrated figure in today’s era. “The moment he steps in the airport people begin to crowd him. On the street people are yelling, you see paparazzi. Baseball’s always No. 1 in the Dominican Republic, but people looooove the NBA. They got the packages, they watch the games, and he’s the main one they watch,” Tito once said.

After the Boston Celtics won the 2024 NBA Championship, Al was able to stand on the same pedestal as his father. After all, he had become the first player from the Dominican Republic to win an NBA title. With the national flag reportedly tucked in his waistband, the power forward/Center honored his birthplace by stating “I feel proud to represent all the Dominicans, no just over there, but in the world because I know they’re in different places in Europe and here in the United States.” Months after his win, Al would be honored (surprisingly) with the Dominican Republic’s highest honor: The Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez, and Mella in the degree of Knight.

Al Horford physically left his home country at the age of 14, but never in spirit. His respect for his birthplace serves as a reminder of just how important one’s roots are to them.