Boston Celtics veteran big man Al Horford is the first player born in the Dominican Republic who has reached the NBA Finals, and his father Tito the first player born there in history to make the NBA. But they are just the point of the spear of a burgeoning basketball culture in the DR we are just starting to see the fruits of at the highest level of the sport in players like Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns and Indiana Pacers wing Chris Duarte.
Reflecting that growing culture, the NBA recently refurbished a court in Carnival-themed designs of a local artist, with Horford’s uncle and family playing a significant role.
