Horford: "I still have dreams to reach with the national team"

ATLANTA (NBA/FIBA Basketball World Cup) – For a small country, the Dominican Republic has a prominent place on the world’s basketball map. The team once led by John Calipari and now coached by Orlando Antigua has certainly improved a lot the past few years.

The Dominicans captured a bronze medal at the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship and finished fourth in the 2013 edition of the continental tournament.

After qualifying for this summer's FIBA Basketball World Cup - a first appearance for the team at the event since 1978 - the Dominican Republic made it to the Round of 16 before being beaten by Slovenia.

The Quisqueyanos have had some very good players like Trotamundos de Carabobo’s Jack Michael Martinez,  Dinamo Sassari’s Edgar Sosa, the Los Angeles D-Fenders’ Eloy Vargas and Atlanta Hawks’ Al Horford.

Horford, arguably the most talented Dominican player of all time, wasn't able to play in the 24-team World Cup due to an injury.

A two-time NCAA champion with the Florida Gators, Horford has been playing in the NBA since 2007.

Coming off an injury riddled three years, he is averaging 13.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game at the start of the 2014-15 campaign.

Horford, who earned his first Dominican cap at the 2008 Centrobasket Championship in Mexico, was an all-tournament selection after his team's third-place finish at the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship. He was also the best player in the Dominican side that won the 2012 Centrobasket Championship.

Despite being ruled out of the Dominicans' World Cup campaign in Spain this summer campaign by injury, he is looking forward to contributing to the national team again.

FIBA.com has spoken to Horford.

FIBA: You returned to the court a few weeks ago after being sidelined for a long period due to a pectoral injury. How are you feeling now?
Horford: I am very happy to be back on the court and playing basketball with my teammates. I spent some long months recovering from that injury and it feels good to be back. It was very frustrating to spend that much time off of the court and do nothing but physical therapy. I feel good even if I know that I am still not in the best shape I can be. I am not worried because I know that I will be perfectly well very soon. I just need to keep working hard and give my best to be the player I was before I got injured.

FIBA: You just started your eighth season with the Atlanta Hawks.
Horford: The roster is very competitive and very balanced between young talents and veterans. The franchise has been recruiting some very interesting players, such as Thabo Sefolosha for example, who is one of the best defensive players in the NBA. We have been working well since the beginning of training camp and the team has been improving a lot in the last few weeks. We need to keep working hard and get better on defense, which is the key to having a great season.

FIBA : Your pectoral injury made you miss the last 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain. How frustrating was it for you to not be able to take part in that competition?
Horford: It was very frustrating to be sidelined and not participate at a competition like the FIBA World Cup. It is always interesting to play against the best players and national teams of the world and I was very disappointed when I knew that I would not be able to recover in time from my injury. I love playing with my national team and I wish I could have helped them in Spain.

FIBA: The Dominican Republic finished 13th overall after being eliminated by Slovenia in the round of 16.
Horford : I am very proud of what my teammates did in Spain. They were able to finish third in a very competitive group with the USA, Ukraine, New Zealand, Turkey and Finland, and they reached the second round where they got beat by a great team, Slovenia. They played very well and showed very good ball movement. I watched the games on TV and most of the time, I wished I was with them on the court. They had a lot of fans supporting them in Spain and they made Dominicans proud.

FIBA: Are you looking forward to taking part in competitions with the national team in the future?
Horford: It is always good to represent my country and play with my national team. I have had some great moments with my teammates and I am enthusiastic about helping our national team improve. I still have dreams to reach with the national team. 

FIBA