Horford Leads Dominican Republic to Bronze Medal at FIBA Americas
Monday, September 12, 2011 | Men's Basketball
Gator great Al Horford, a member of Florida's 2006 and 2007 national championship teams, helped the Dominican Republic national team to a bronze medal at the FIBA Americas tournament in Mar Del Plata, Argentina, the nation's first medal ever at the event. Horford averaged 19.0 points and 9.2 rebounds as the Dominican Republic recorded a 6-4 record. Its previous best finish was fifth in 2009.
The team defeated Puerto Rico, 103-89, in the bronze medal game on Sunday, led by Horford's 23 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, all team highs. He topped all players at the tournament with 19 steals and 43 free throws made and finished second in total scoring (190) and rebounding (92). He also tied for third with 10 blocks and finished eighth with 31 assists. Horford totaled four double-doubles during the 10 games and led his team in scoring eight times and in rebounds three times.
While the Dominican Republic missed out on qualifying for its first Olympic berth, the team is still alive for a spot and will play in a world Olympic qualifier at a time and location to be determined. The top two finishers earned an Olympic spot, with tournament host Argentina claiming gold and Brazil getting silver.
Meanwhile, Joakim Noah, another key player in UF's championship runs, has excelled for the French team at FIBA EuroBasket in Lithuania. He has helped the team to a 7-1 record with 9.6 points and 8.0 rebounds per game in seven appearances as France rolled off seven straight wins to open the event.
With a spot in the quarterfinals assured, the team rested Noah, its leading rebounder, and fellow NBA star Tony Parker in the second-round finale against Spain on Sunday. The French squad opens the quarterfinals on Thursday, with its opponent to be determined by today's competition. Gold and silver winners at EuroBasket qualify for the Olympics with teams finishing third through sixth moving on to the world Olympic qualifier.
Dominican Republic at FIBA Americas
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Horford Pts/Reb |
| First Round | ||||
| Aug. 30 | Cuba | W | 90-60 | 24*/9 |
| Aug.31 | Venezuela | W | 92-89 | 19*/10 |
| Sept. 1 | Canada | L | 72-73 | 17/11 |
| Sept. 2 | Brazil | W | 79-74 | 22*/5 |
| Second Round | ||||
| Sept. 5 | Panama | W | 92-68 | 12/7 |
| Sept. 6 | Uruguay | W | 84-76 | 23*/14* |
| Sept. 7 | Puerto Rico | L | 62-79 | 16*/9* |
| Sept. 8 | Argentina | L | 58-84 | 16*/8 |
| Semifinals | ||||
| Sept. 10 | Brazil | L | 76-83 | 18*/7 |
| Bronze Medal Game | ||||
| Sept. 11 | Puerto Rico | W | 103-89 | 23*/12* |
*Led team
France at FIBA EuroBasket
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Noah Pts/Reb |
| First Round | ||||
| Aug. 31 | Latvia | W | 89-78 | 10/7* |
| Sept. 1 | Israel | W | 85-68 | 9/9* |
| Sept. 2 | Germany | W | 76-65 | 8/7* |
| Sept. 4 | Italy | W | 91-84 | 10/7* |
| Sept. 5 | Serbia | W/OT | 97-96 | 14/9* |
| Second Round | ||||
| Sept. 7 | Turkey | W | 68-64 | 7/4 |
| Sept. 9 | Lithuania | W | 73-67 | 9/13* |
| Sept. 11 | Spain | L | 69-96 | DNP |
*Led team
