78 greatest international basketball players ever: The HoopsHype list

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Top accolades: One NBA title, one All-NBA 3rd Team selection, five All-Stars, one All-Defensive 2nd Team selection, one FIBA Americas bronze medal

NBA rank: 60th in blocks, 66th in rebounds, 174th in assists, 185th in scoring, 278th in steals

Share of the vote: 84.19 percent

The 2023-24 season was pivotal for Al Horford’s legacy. Not only did he win his first NBA championship, but he also became the first player ever to do so while being older than the full-time head coach of the team. Moreover, Horford joined an elite group of only six players in NBA history to rank in the Top 60 for playoff scoring, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and three-pointers. The other five members are LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Scottie Pippen. Yes, that’s some company.

Though he may not have the regular season accolades or numbers of some of the other players this high on the list, his longevity has helped him stand out anyway. Horford has enjoyed a long career as a high-quality starter or low-level All-Star mostly playing at center, which was never his favorite position. 

He ranks Top 70 in both career blocks and rebounds and will get Hall-of-Fame consideration once his career is over. He’s not a lock but considering basketball treats its Hall of Fame more like a Hall of Very Good, he’ll probably get in.