After years of patient hard work, Al Horford won the championship title with the Boston Celtics. It was a memorable moment for the Dominican player’s family, who supported him throughout his journey. And even more so for his father, who once tried to get into the Boston franchise. The 38-year-old hails from a basketball family with many people to guide him. Now, he is proud to have created something for himself and to be able to leave a legacy for his kids.

After winning the championship with the Celtics, Horford shared how his father, Tito Horford, and his family had been an instrumental part of his career. He expressed how his father always guided him. 

Who is AI Horford’s father, Tito Horford?

Alfredo Tito played for 3 years in the league. He spent his last year with the Washington Bullets. Following this, he went on to play in France and Italy. Stories from the Miami Hurricanes share that the Dominican star was called Tito because of his small size when he was just born to parents Graciela Baltazar and William Horford. His story is quite different from his son’s.

Growing up in San Pedro de Macorís with his 6 siblings, Tito was quick to realize his love for basketball. It would be wrong to say that former basketball player Eduardo Gomez didn’t have an influence on him.

Playing for Louisiana State University and then going to the University of Miami, everything was going well for the basketball star. He had everything to become the star of the NBA. He was having the best time. Perhaps with two more years, he would have become a lottery pick.

However, certain unpredictable situations in his sophomore year took a different turn. As per the Miami Hurricanes, Tito decided to declare for the NBA because he needed money to support his family. The Milwaukee Bucks picked him as the 35th overall pick in 1988. He played for the Bucks for two years.

Later, he married journalist Arelis Reynoso, and they welcomed their first son, Al Horford. The Celtics champ was very young when his parents divorced. While he stayed with his mother in the Dominican Republic during his childhood, he moved to the USA to stay with his father when he was 14. Later, Tito Alfred got remarried and played in overseas leagues. He had four other kids, Jon, Josh, Maria, and Anna with his second wife.

Still, Tito was always involved in his son’s life and basketball career. In a clip, Horford shared how his father also tried to get into the Celtics and couldn’t. “My dad was the first player to play in the NBA. (He) was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks played for a few years uh he tried out for the Boston Celtics you know that didn’t make it but you know the evidence is there he’s in the media guy with the Celtic uniform.”

He further shared how his father was an important part of his career. “He’s somebody that I grew up watching and was able to learn a lot from him. A lot of the things that I am today you know are in part because of him. My dad’s always been very supportive.”

His father may have been unsuccessful in getting into the Celtics, however, he gave all his support to his son. Later, the former Bucks star settled down in Lansing, Michigan. It is a wholesome moment when the three generations walk on the court. Speaking of his son, Horford expressed his happiness in having been able to share the NBA Life and moment with his son who closely follows him around on the court. 

But Al has more family members that have stuck with him through thick and thin. One of them is his wife.

Who is AI Horford’s wife Amelia Vega?

He has always expressed his happiness in having his wife, Amelia Vega, as his constant support. Vega, also from the Dominican Republic, is a star in her own right. She is a former Miss Universe who earned the crown at just 18 years old in 2003. 

The two first crossed paths at a Latin Pride Awards event in Boston in 2007, as if it were destiny. After dating for a few years, they decided to tie the knot in 2011 and have been happily married ever since.“We started dating, and it became pretty obvious that she was the right person for me. It just felt right. I felt right with her and I knew that I wanted to marry her,” the Celtics player once said.

The NBA couple share five children, Ean (2015), Alía (2016), Ava (2018), and Nova (2021), and their youngest, Mila, born in 2022. Vega is much more than just the NBA star’s wife and the mother of his children. She has been a constant advocate, working diligently to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, she is an actress with roles in Homie Spumoni and The Lost City, as well as a singer.

Being a constant supporter of her husband, Vega penned a heartwarming message for her husband and family, “Very grateful to the Lord for this experience that we have been able to live with you, my love. More than proud of your performance on and off the court. Thank you for being an example of perseverance for many of us who observe with the deepest admiration your discipline, dedication, perseverance, effort, professionalism, humility, and above all your gratitude to God”

“A new champion was crowned,” Vega wrote on her social media when the Boston Celtics won the championship this year. From his wife to his father, the Celtics star takes great pride in his family!