 Horry in 2012 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1970-08-25)August 25, 1970 (age 55) Harford County, Maryland, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Andalusia (Andalusia, Alabama) |
| College | Alabama (1988–1992) |
| NBA draft | 1992: 1st round, 11th overall pick |
| Drafted by | Houston Rockets |
| Playing career | 1992–2008 |
| Position | Power forward /small forward |
| Number | 25, 5 |
| Career history | |
| 1992–1996 | Houston Rockets |
| 1996–1997 | Phoenix Suns |
| 1997–2003 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2003–2008 | San Antonio Spurs |
| Career highlights | |
| |
| Career statistics | |
| Points | 7,715 (7.0 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 5,269 (4.8 rpg) |
| Assists | 2,343 (2.1 apg) |
Stats at NBA.com  | |
| Stats atBasketball Reference | |
Robert Keith Horry (/ˈɒri/ORR-ee; born August 25, 1970) is an American former professionalbasketball player and current sports commentator. Horry was a member of seven championship winning teams and is considered to be one of the most clutch shooters in NBA history.[1] He was given the nicknames "Big Shot Rob"[a] for making big shots in playoff games.[3][4]
Robert Keith Horry was born on August 25, 1970, inHarford County, Maryland. Soon afterwards, his father,Staff Sergeant Robert Horry Sr., divorced his mother, Leila, and moved toSouth Carolina. Horry grew up inAndalusia, Alabama. Later, when Robert Sr. was stationed atFort Benning,Georgia, the father and son met weekly.[5][6] As a senior atAndalusia High School, Horry won the Naismith Alabama High School Player of the Year Award.
Horry attended theUniversity of Alabama, where he played college basketball for CoachWimp Sanderson, and he was a teammate of fellow future NBA playerLatrell Sprewell. At Alabama, Horry played from 1988 to 1992. He started 108 of the 133 games he played and helped the Tide win threeSoutheastern Conference (SEC) tournament titles and twice reached theNCAA's Sweet 16 round. Alabama compiled a 98–36 record during his four seasons. He set a school record for career blocked shots (282). He was selected to the All-Southeastern Conference, the SEC All-Defensive and the SEC All-Academic teams. Years later, Horry returned to the university to finish his degree and graduated in spring 2021.[7]
Horry was selected 11th overall in the1992 NBA draft in the first round by theHouston Rockets as asmall forward. He spent his first four seasons with the Rockets, helping them win the NBA championship in1994 and1995. He set an individualNBA Finals record with seven steals in a game.[8] During his years with the Rockets, Horry wore number 25.[9]
In Game 7 of the1993 Western Conference Semifinals against theSeattle SuperSonics, he hit a jump shot with the shot clock expiring and 33 seconds left in regulation to put the Rockets up 93–91. The Rockets lost in overtime and lost the series. In February 1994, he andMatt Bullard were traded to theDetroit Pistons forSean Elliott, but Elliott failed a physical because of kidney problems, so the trade was rescinded. Horry said that the trade falling through probably saved his career. Horry went on to be a key member of the Rockets' title teams. He began to build his "Big Shot" reputation in the 1995 playoffs:[10] first, with a game-winning jumper with 6.5 seconds left in Game 1 of the1995 Western Conference Finals against theSan Antonio Spurs, then hitting a three to put Houston up 104–100 with 14.1 seconds left in a 106–103 win in Game 3 of the1995 NBA Finals against theOrlando Magic. The Rockets went on to win Game 4 and their second championship. Horry later said that out of his seven championship victories, this was the one he was the most proud of because the Rockets were the sixth seed in the Western Conference.[11]
On August 19, 1996, Horry was traded to thePhoenix Suns, along withSam Cassell,Chucky Brown andMark Bryant, for formerNBA Most Valuable PlayerCharles Barkley. Horry had been criticized in Houston for not taking enough shots and felt that was what prompted the Rockets to trade him. On January 5, 1997, in a game against the Celtics, he had an on-court altercation with head coach Danny Ainge. Horry had been performing poorly and had just been substituted out. As he was leaving the floor, Horry walked up to Ainge and the two shared some words. As he was walking away, Horry screamed obscenities at Ainge and then threw a towel at his face. Horry was promptly suspended by the Suns for two games. Suns GM Jerry Colangelo wanted to suspend Horry for longer but, at that time, the Collective Bargaining Agreement only allowed a maximum of two games.[12]
Due to his attitude problems and lackluster performance, Horry, along with Joe Kleine, was traded to theLos Angeles Lakers on January 10, 1997, forCedric Ceballos and Rumeal Robinson.[13] Because the Lakers had retired jersey number 25 to honorGail Goodrich, Horry wore the number 5. On May 6, 1997, he hit seven three-point shots in a row, setting the NBA playoff record for most three-point shots without a miss.[14]
During the1999–2000 season, Horry played behindA.C. Green, but frequently played more minutes off the bench than the starters, especially during theplayoffs. In the 2000 Finals against theIndiana Pacers, the Lakers took a 2–1 lead into Game 4 in Indiana. The game went into overtime.Shaquille O'Neal fouled out, butKobe Bryant led a run to seal the Laker victory. Horry finished with 17 points in 37 minutes, his high for the Finals. The Lakers won the 2000 NBA Finals in six games. Horry averaged 7.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game throughout the 2000 playoffs.
In the2000–01 season, Horry played behindHorace Grant, but once again played big minutes in theplayoffs. He played in 16 Lakers 2001 playoffs games, averaging 5.9 points. In theFinals, the Lakers dropped Game 1 before winning Game 2. In Game 3, in Philadelphia, he scored 12 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, including a critical three-pointer with 47.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter to make it 92–88. He followed this with four consecutive free throws in the last 21 seconds to help seal a 96–91 Laker victory. In Game 4, Horry made three of the Lakers' 10 total three-pointers as the Lakers rolled to a 100–86 victory. The Lakers won Game 5, 108–96, to clinch their second straight championship. He has said this victory was the second-proudest of his career, after the 1995 NBA Finals.[15]
In the2001–02 season, he was the backup power forward toSamaki Walker, starting just 23 games. In theplayoffs, Horry started 14 of the Lakers' 19 games, playing an average of 37 minutes, a game with averages of 9.3 points and 8.1 rebounds a game. Horry built his reputation for clutch play in Game 4 of the2002 Western Conference Finals against theSacramento Kings. Trailing two games to one in the series and facing Game 5 in Sacramento, the Lakers were down by as many as 24 points in the first half. Eventually, the Lakers cut the lead to 99–97 with 11.8 seconds to play. On the final possession, afterKobe andShaq missed consecutive layups, Sacramento centerVlade Divac knocked the ball away from the basket in an attempt to run out the clock. However, the ball bounced right to Horry, who hit a three-pointer as time expired to win Game 4 100–99. A day later,Magic Johnson called Horry "one of the 10 best clutch players in league history".[16] The Lakers would win the series in 7 games and sweep theNew Jersey Nets 4–0 in theNBA Finals to complete a three-peat. Horry started all four games in the Finals.
On March 5, 2003,Indiana Pacers centerJermaine O'Neal swatted the inside pass forShaquille O'Neal to a wide-open Horry, who hit the game-winning shot. In the2003 playoffs, the Lakers were attempting to win their fourth straight NBA championship. In the closing seconds of Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals, Horry's potential game-winning shot rattled in and out, putting a halt to the Lakers' rally from a 25-point deficit. The Lakers were eliminated in six games. Horry was 0-18 from the three-point line during the series.
Following the2002–03 season, Horry became afree agent. Citing concerns over family, all of whom live inHouston, he signed with theSan Antonio Spurs. During the 2002–03 season, the Lakers had increased Horry's minutes to nearly 30 a game. With the Spurs, coachGregg Popovich cut his minutes significantly. In the2003–04 season, the Spurs won 57 games and reached the2004 playoffs where they swept theMemphis Grizzlies in four games, before losing in six games to theLos Angeles Lakers.
During thefollowing season, the Spurs reached the2005 playoffs. Horry went 38 of 85 from three-point range. In Game 5 of the2005 NBA Finals, after only scoring three points in the first three quarters, he scored 21 of the Spurs' points in the fourth quarter and overtime. The Spurs went on to win Game 5, 96–95, after Horry hit a game-winning three-point shot with 5.9 seconds left.ESPN columnistBill Simmons wrote, "Horry's Game 5 ranks alongside MJ's Game 6 in 1998, Worthy's Game 7 in 1988, Frazier's Game 7 in 1970, and every other clutch Finals performance over the years".[17] His 15 three point shots was a finals record that stood until the2019 NBA Finals whenFred VanVleet made 16.[18]
During the2007 playoffs, Horry body-checkedPhoenix Suns' point guardSteve Nash, drawing aflagrant foul call. During the ensuing commotion,Raja Bell was assessed a technical foul for charging at him. Horry was ejected from the game and suspended for Games 5 and 6.Amar'e Stoudemire andBoris Diaw, who left the bench, were suspended for Game 5. As a result, the Spurs won the next game on the road, and then the series, eventually moving on to the 2007 NBA Finals, where they swept theCleveland Cavaliers.[19][20] Horry became nicknamed "Cheap Shot Rob" for dirty play.[21][22][23]
Horry began wearing the number 25 again after the 2006–07 season. After the 2007–08 season, Horry became a free agent but went unsigned, marking his last professional season.
As of 2025, Horry works as a commentator for the Lakers onSpectrum SportsNet.
Horry is one of four NBA players to win championships with three teams: two with theHouston Rockets, three with theLos Angeles Lakers, and two with theSan Antonio Spurs.[24][25][26] He holds NBA records for most steals in a Finals game and for most three-point shots made in a playoff game without a miss. He is the only non-member of the 1950s and 1960sBoston Celtics to win more than six championships.[27]
When he retired, Horry held the record for three-pointers all-time in theNBA Finals with 56, having eclipsedMichael Jordan's record of 42. Five players passed him before the2023 NBA Finals.[28] He holds the NBA playoffs record for most three-point field goals made in a game without a miss (seven) against theUtah Jazz in Game 2 of the1997 Western Conference Semifinals.[14]
In 2009, Horry played in the 2009 NBA Asia Challenge against thePhilippine Basketball Association All-Stars atAraneta Coliseum inManila.[29] Horry was the first player to accumulate 100 steals, 100 blocked shots, and 100 threes in one season (steals and blocks were not recorded until the 1973–74 season and the three-point line was not implemented until the 1979–80 season).[30] In 2010, he was inducted into theAlabama Sports Hall of Fame.[31] Horry has played in three Game 7s which went to overtime; the 1993 Western Conference Semifinals, as a member of the Houston Rockets,[32] the 2002 Western Conference Finals with the Los Angeles Lakers,[33] and the 2006 Western Conference Semifinals with the San Antonio Spurs.[34]
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| † | Won anNBA championship |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992–93 | Houston | 79 | 79 | 29.5 | .474 | .255 | .715 | 5.0 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 10.1 |
| 1993–94† | Houston | 81 | 81 | 29.3 | .459 | .324 | .732 | 5.4 | 2.9 | 1.5 | .9 | 9.9 |
| 1994–95† | Houston | 64 | 61 | 32.4 | .447 | .379 | .761 | 5.1 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 10.2 |
| 1995–96 | Houston | 71 | 71 | 37.1 | .410 | .366 | .776 | 5.8 | 4.0 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 12.0 |
| 1996–97 | Phoenix | 32 | 15 | 22.5 | .421 | .308 | .640 | 3.7 | 1.7 | .9 | .8 | 6.9 |
| 1996–97 | L.A. Lakers | 22 | 14 | 30.7 | .455 | .329 | .700 | 5.4 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 9.2 |
| 1997–98 | L.A. Lakers | 72 | 71 | 30.4 | .476 | .204 | .692 | 7.5 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 7.4 |
| 1998–99 | L.A. Lakers | 38 | 5 | 19.6 | .459 | .444 | .739 | 4.0 | 1.5 | .9 | 1.0 | 4.9 |
| 1999–00† | L.A. Lakers | 76 | 0 | 22.2 | .438 | .309 | .788 | 4.8 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 5.7 |
| 2000–01† | L.A. Lakers | 79 | 1 | 20.1 | .387 | .346 | .711 | 3.7 | 1.6 | .7 | .7 | 5.2 |
| 2001–02† | L.A. Lakers | 81 | 23 | 26.4 | .398 | .374 | .783 | 5.9 | 2.9 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 6.8 |
| 2002–03 | L.A. Lakers | 80 | 26 | 29.3 | .387 | .288 | .769 | 6.4 | 2.9 | 1.2 | .8 | 6.5 |
| 2003–04 | San Antonio | 81 | 1 | 15.9 | .405 | .380 | .645 | 3.4 | 1.2 | .6 | .6 | 4.8 |
| 2004–05† | San Antonio | 75 | 16 | 18.6 | .419 | .370 | .789 | 3.6 | 1.1 | .9 | .8 | 6.0 |
| 2005–06 | San Antonio | 63 | 3 | 18.8 | .384 | .368 | .647 | 3.8 | 1.3 | .7 | .8 | 5.1 |
| 2006–07† | San Antonio | 68 | 8 | 16.5 | .359 | .336 | .594 | 3.4 | 1.1 | .7 | .6 | 3.9 |
| 2007–08 | San Antonio | 45 | 5 | 13.0 | .319 | .257 | .643 | 2.4 | 1.0 | .5 | .4 | 2.5 |
| Career | 1,107 | 480 | 24.5 | .425 | .341 | .726 | 4.8 | 2.1 | 1.0 | .9 | 7.0 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Houston | 12 | 12 | 31.2 | .465 | .300 | .741 | 5.2 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 10.5 |
| 1994† | Houston | 23 | 23 | 33.8 | .434 | .382 | .765 | 6.1 | 3.6 | 1.5 | .9 | 11.7 |
| 1995† | Houston | 22 | 22 | 38.2 | .445 | .400 | .744 | 7.0 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 13.1 |
| 1996 | Houston | 8 | 8 | 38.5 | .407 | .396 | .435 | 7.1 | 3.0 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 13.1 |
| 1997 | L.A. Lakers | 9 | 9 | 31.0 | .447 | .429 | .778 | 5.3 | 1.4 | 1.1 | .8 | 6.7 |
| 1998 | L.A. Lakers | 13 | 13 | 32.5 | .557 | .353 | .683 | 6.5 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 8.6 |
| 1999 | L.A. Lakers | 8 | 0 | 22.1 | .462 | .417 | .786 | 4.5 | 1.4 | .8 | .8 | 5.0 |
| 2000† | L.A. Lakers | 23 | 0 | 26.9 | .407 | .288 | .702 | 5.3 | 2.5 | .9 | .8 | 7.6 |
| 2001† | L.A. Lakers | 16 | 0 | 23.9 | .368 | .362 | .591 | 5.2 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 5.9 |
| 2002† | L.A. Lakers | 19 | 14 | 37.0 | .449 | .387 | .789 | 8.1 | 3.2 | 1.7 | .8 | 9.3 |
| 2003 | L.A. Lakers | 12 | 10 | 31.1 | .319 | .053 | .556 | 6.7 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 5.6 |
| 2004 | San Antonio | 10 | 0 | 21.1 | .465 | .364 | .929 | 6.3 | .9 | .8 | .2 | 6.1 |
| 2005† | San Antonio | 23 | 0 | 26.9 | .448 | .447 | .732 | 5.4 | 2.0 | .9 | .9 | 9.3 |
| 2006 | San Antonio | 13 | 5 | 17.2 | .405 | .353 | .731 | 3.7 | .8 | .4 | .7 | 4.2 |
| 2007† | San Antonio | 18 | 0 | 20.1 | .417 | .351 | .824 | 3.9 | 1.6 | .6 | 1.3 | 4.3 |
| 2008 | San Antonio | 15 | 0 | 10.3 | .194 | .227 | .667 | 2.1 | .5 | .3 | .3 | 1.5 |
| Career | 244 | 116 | 28.0 | .426 | .359 | .722 | 5.6 | 2.4 | 1.1 | .9 | 7.9 | |
Horry's first child, daughter Ashlyn, was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called1p36 deletion syndrome, an affliction that develops when part of the first chromosome is missing. She died on June 14, 2011, at the age of 17.[35] His older son Camron Horry played football atTexas A&M.[36][37] His younger daughter Jade Horry lives in Los Angeles, California. His younger son Christian "CJ" Horry is following in his footsteps as a basketball player. CJ plays basketball at UCLA in Southern California.[38] Horry coached his AAU Big Shot basketball team in Los Angeles.[39] On September 29, 2019, he married his long-time girlfriend Candice Madrid.[40] Horry appeared as himself in a 2023 episode of the television seriesThe Lincoln Lawyer.[41]
