While most players on a team are ecstatic to finally play a game or wear their uniform for the first time, Florida’s newest center, Jon Horford shared his blunt feelings regarding opening up against Barry University on Thursday night.
When asked if he’ll get emotional or feel butterflies about his first game in a Florida jersey, he kept it simple.
“No,” Horford said in his deep monotone voice.
The Michigan transfer also doesn’t feel sentimental.
“Rarely,” he said. “I’m not heartless, but just not always in there. Every once in a while, every few years,” Horford said laughing it off.
Horford, who is in the starting lineup against Barry — and is the only viable center the Gators have in the frontcourt to start the season — will be expected to take the load in the paint and is carrying his mentally-firm attitude along with him.
The sole active 6-foot-10 center said he doesn’t think about the absence of Chris Walker and Alex Murphy too much. Horford said it’s something the team has to deal with and that they aren’t where they want to be as a team. It is something they have to handle for now.
With the biggest player on Barry’s roster only being 6-foot-8, Horford shouldn’t see too much trouble in the frontcourt. However, Barry did outrebound No. 8 Louisville 53-41 in their preseason exhibition also grabbing 29 offensive rebounds.
Rebounding and having a presence under the basket is something head coach Billy Donovan noted and wants to reestablish those attributes for this new team coming into this season.
“We can still get better,” Donovan said. “We are doing a better job physically of putting our bodies in place and that’s another thing you know where when you put your body in a play for your teammate, basically you’re letting your teammate know that you’re really important to me. That’s what all that means right there.”
Horford said rebounding has progressed since the team’s first practice and the physical nature of the team has increased as well, but it’s not as good as it needs to be and it’ll be a process.
“Time. Experience. Everybody buying in,” Horford said. “I think it’s just something that happens over the course of a season. It’s not always going to be immediate, right away, at the beginning. Very, very rarely is it like that. That’s a good thing in a way. You don’t want to peak too soon. We’re not close, but I think we’ll get there.”
The fifth-year senior big man with experience and a proven rebounder will add great depth to the Gators frontcourt.
After totaling 154 rebounds last season at Michigan, which included three games with 10 or more boards, Horford will now bring his talents to a team he once faced off against.
Until game time, Horford will stick with the only thing that can get him choked up and emotional so he doesn’t seem so fixated all the time.
“Reading ‘One Piece’,” Horford said. “I know, but it’s the truth. Read it. It’s absolutely a masterpiece. It’s not out yet. It comes out tomorrow.”
Horford is a refreshing individual. He is able to balance stardom and real life at a very young age. I respect him for his polite remarks, commendable actions and humble behavior throughout his college career.