BOSTON — When the Florida Gators received the nationwide championship on Monday night time, there was a notable alum within the stands: Celtics veteran Al Horford.
Horford doesn’t get to be a spectator typically. However, for one night time, the previous College of Florida star, who led the Gators to NCAA titles in 2006 and 2007, received to unwind and be a fan at one of many nation’s largest sporting occasions.
That’s as a result of Joe Mazzulla urged him to.
After the Celtics beat the Washington Wizards on Sunday, Mazzulla had a robust message for Horford: Go watch your alma mater compete for a nationwide title.
“He was very adamant,” Horford informed CelticsBlog. “He stated, ‘You must be there.”
So, Horford, though initially reluctant, in the end obliged.
“I wasn’t anticipating to be on the sport — we’re in season,” he stated. “I perceive that. I do know that I’ve to be right here.”
However, the standings had been locked up, Horford was doubtless due for some relaxation, and this was an important day. So Horford, his spouse Amelia, and their 9-year-old son Ean, made the journey right down to San Antonio to look at Florida be topped champions for the primary time since he suited up on the college.
“It was fairly unbelievable,” Horford stated. “Simply because there are few instances I get to go to a sport and simply take pleasure in it, and be a fan. For me, it was such a cool expertise to be there with my spouse and with my son, and simply getting to look at the crew, cheer for them, and simply being there supporting them.”
Al Horford had an inkling this Florida crew can be particular from the bounce
Since Horford entered the draft in 2007, no Florida crew has received an NCAA championship. Nonetheless, all through his 17-year NBA profession, Horford has all the time loved watching Florida basketball every time he has an opportunity.
However this season, the 38-year-old received a tip from somebody on the within that this explicit crew was further particular. Taurean Inexperienced, certainly one of Florida’s assistant coaches and Horford’s former Gators teammate, reached out to Horford initially of the season.
“Very early on, he was like, ‘Man, this group is totally different,’ Horford recalled. “I all the time observe, however he was like, ‘You may need to actually listen.’”
So, the Celtics heart began watching video games much more usually than common. And, he was cautiously optimistic that this yr may obtain his want consequence.
“Early within the yr, I simply seen that they had been getting some good wins,” he stated. “And I used to be like, okay, it’s good, however let’s see when SEC play begins. And I checked out their SEC schedule to open up, and it was simply powerful. So, once they beat Tennessee at residence, that’s after I actually began to lock in on them and watch them just a little nearer. And it was fairly cool simply to see that development.”
Horford was completely impressed by the Gators’ come-from-behind 65-63 victory. Florida trailed for nearly all the sport, however an enormous cease by Walter Clayton Jr. helped safe the victory. Clayton Jr. completed the night time with 11 factors and seven assists — and Horford congratulated him on the parquet because the confetti fell.
“You’re a winner,” he informed the Clayton Jr., later telling NBC Sports activities reporter John Fanta he expects to compete in opposition to (or with) the Florida standout within the NBA.
Horford smiled as he recalled the Gators’ clutch victory over Houston.
“With as a lot stress as it’s in that sort of event, you lose one sport, you’re completed. For that group to deal with it how they did was fairly particular to see,” Horford stated. “And even in that sport, like, it simply wasn’t wanting good. And people guys discovered a means. As a fan, that was actually, actually enjoyable to see.”
And his Celtics teammates had been glad he received to expertise it — even those that hoped their very own alma mater would win all of it.
“I’m glad for Al,” Pritchard stated earlier this week, noting he was rooting for Duke-Florida as soon as his Oregon Geese had been knocked out. “It appeared like he in all probability loved that, him and his son.”
Payton Pritchard stated he all the time rooting for a Duke-Florida championship as soon as Oregon was knocked out:
On the Gators profitable final night time:
“I’m glad for Al. It appeared like he in all probability loved that, him and his son.” pic.twitter.com/ZyWZMFlb6Y
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) April 8, 2025
Because the Celtics gear up for what they hope will probably be one other lengthy playoff run, it might be some time till Horford watches one other sport from the stands with out worrying about schemes.
However for one night time, the beloved Florida Gator was in a position to simply take pleasure in being a fan.
“It simply felt nice,” Horford stated. “In the course of the sport, I used to be simply having fun with it, not considering an excessive amount of, not considering too critically about performs and issues like that. It was identical to being a daily fan.”
For that, he thanks his Celtics coach — for urging him to make a visit he in any other case would have skipped.
“I recognize Joe,” Horford stated.
