Robert Horry

Robert Keith Horry was born on August 25, 1970, in Harford County, Maryland, and grew up in Andalusia, Alabama. Excelling in basketball from an early age, he won the Naismith Alabama High School Player of the Year Award as a senior at Andalusia High School. He then attended the University of Alabama, playing college basketball from 1988 to 1992, where he started 108 of 133 games. During his collegiate career, he helped the Alabama Crimson Tide win three Southeastern Conference (SEC) tournament titles and reach the NCAA’s Sweet 16 twice. He set a school record with 282 career blocked shots and was recognized with selections to the All-Southeastern Conference, SEC All-Defensive, and SEC All-Academic teams. Horry later returned to the university and earned his degree in spring 2021.

Hory was selected 11th overall in the first round of the 1992 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, where he spent his first four seasons. He played a crucial role in the Rockets’ back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995, earning the nickname “Big Shot Rob” for his game-changing plays in critical moments, including a game-winning jumper in the 1995 Western Conference Finals and a key three-pointer in the 1995 NBA Finals. In February 1994, a trade to the Detroit Pistons was rescinded due to Charles Barkley’s failed physical, which Horry has credited with saving his career. Following his time with the Rockets, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns in 1996 and then to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1997, where he would continue to build his legacy. During his tenure with the Lakers from 1997 to 2003, Horry contributed to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002. His clutch three-pointer in Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals against the Sacramento Kings remains a memorable play in playoff history.

After leaving the Lakers, Horry signed with the San Antonio Spurs in 2003, seeking a move closer to his family in Houston. With the Spurs, he added two more NBA championships in 2005 and 2007, making him one of only four NBA players to win championships with three different teams. His performance in Game 5 of the 2005 NBA Finals, where he scored 21 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, including a game-winning shot, further solidified his reputation for clutch play. He retired after the 2007-08 season, having played 16 years in the NBA. As of 2025, Horry works as a sports commentator for the Lakers on Spectrum SportsNet, maintaining his connection to professional basketball. In 2010, he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his impact on the sport.