Al Horford’s historical championship win takes tour to Domincan Republic

When Al Horford returned to the Boston Celtics for his second stint with the team, things immediately turned around. He joined the squad after their worst season in years, but in his first year back, the Celtics made it to the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, they fell short that year, but two years later, they won it all.

Horford helped lift the Celtics to their first championship since 2008, and he played a bigger role than he was expected to. Kristaps Porzingis was the Celtics’ go-to starter all year, but he got hurt in the playoffs. That meant Horford had to step into the starting lineup, and he was incredible.

The veteran big man’s first ring was also a historic one, as he became the first Dominican Republic-born player to win a title. And with the Larry O’Brien trophy in hand, he made sure to show love to his roots.

Al Horford took trip to the Dominican Republic after historic NBA Championship win with Celtics

Horford recently took a trip home to the Dominican Republic, honoring the place where he was born. As the first-ever champion from the country, it was a special moment for him and his family, and JetBlue helped make it possible.

“It was very important for me to travel to the Dominican Republic to celebrate this victory with family, friends and loved ones in my homeland; this victory is also my country’s,” Horford said in a press release from the event. “What better way to get to Dominican Republic from Boston than on Lucky Blue, JetBlue’s Celtics aircraft. 

“I hope that I can inspire future athletes by demonstrating that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.”

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla and assistant coach Tony Dobbins joined Horford on the trip.

There have been 12 total players from the Dominican Republic to make it to the NBA, and five are currently in the league: Horford, Karl-Anthony Towns, Chris Duarte, Justin Minaya, and rookie David Jones.

With his new championship ring on his finger, Horford has now accomplished almost everything there is to do in the world of basketball. Outside of the major awards like MVP and DPOY, his resume has it all.

He’s a five-time All-Star, one-time All-Defensive Team player, one-time All-NBA player, a two-time, back-to-back NCAA Champion, and now, an NBA Champion as well.

Not only is Horford a potential future Hall-of-Famer, but he’s also solidified himself as the greatest basketball player in his nation’s history.

And thanks to the Celtics and JetBlue, he got to celebrate in style.