Rivals.com Scouts Al Horford

Background:

Grand Ledge, Michigan power forward Al Horford stands 6-foot-8, 215-pounds and ranks No.119 in the Rivals150.

Horford’s stock is on the rise after his impressive play in Indianapolis at the Nike Camp. Listed as the No. 34 power forward in the Rivals150, Horford out played many of the power forwards ranked ahead of him.

He lists Ohio State, Iowa, Dayton, and Xavier as the schools that have already extended scholarship offers, while he is open to other suitors.

Meyer’s Analysis:

Strengths- Horford’s competitiveness immediately stands out. He plays with a desire to dominate lesser players and with a hunger to prove himself against players ranked higher than he.

When matched up against recent Missouri commitment Kalen Grimes, the No.21 power forward in the Rivals150, Horford traded baskets possession after possession with Grimes. Horford’s intensity elevated Grime’s low post game to another level as Grimes was forced to display his full repertoire of moves. Horford then expanded his game by taking Grimes to the perimeter and successfully attacking the basket with the dribble.

In another game when Horford played recent Florida commitment Corey Brewer, the No.49 ranked player in the Rivals150, Horford showed no mercy in physically taking Brewer to the basket from both the low post and the mid-post.

In both of these match ups, Horford displayed what he does best offensively. He can score with different low post moves turning to either shoulder, and he can drive the ball with his right hand from the perimeter and finish at the basket.

Unlike many big men with the ability to score inside, Horford is very willing to share the ball with his teammates. This willingness to pass, even out of the low post, stems from his competitive desire to win. When asked about his thought process on catching the ball in the post, Horford stated, “I first look and see the defense and my teammates.”

Defensively, his strengths are his length, with his long wing span, and his aggressiveness guarding the low post. Horford is an active player who desires to make an impact on every play.

Weaknesses- Horford’s lack of foot speed and lack of explosiveness off the floor limit his effectiveness defensively. Offensively, his footwork and physicality with the ball make up for these deficiencies, but at times he is simply over matched defensively by explosive players in the post and on the perimeter. Although Horford scored on Grimes, he could not stop Grimes in the low post.

Offensively, Horford needs to improve his left hand drive to the basket and his over all ball handling skills. When pressured on the perimeter, his tendency is to put his head down and force the ball to the basket with his right hand or else turn his back to the basket and seek out an easy release pass.

His lack of a consistent jump shot also gives defenders the option of sagging off him when he has the ball on the perimeter.

Wrap up:

Get Horford the ball in the mid to low post and something positive is going to happen. He was certainly one of the Nike Camp’s best interior scorers along with Brian Johnson, Kalen Grimes, Spencer Tollackson, and Al Jefferson.

His competitiveness bodes well for his achieving his upside rating, and the fact that his father Tito is 7-foot-1 and played in the NBA means he might surpass his upside rating as he continues to grow.

Rivals.com Scouting Rating Index:

Rivals.com gives Al Horford a rating of 5.6 / 5.9 (PR / UR). For information concerning the Rivals.com Rating Scouting Index click the Rivals Rating Index link.