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Horford orally commits to Florida, not ready to sign letter of intent

November 4, 2003

On the recruitment radar for MSU basketball, Grand Ledge senior power forward Al Horford has gone from potential target to foregone conclusion then back again - maybe.

Horford, who gave an oral commitment to U-M on Sept. 18 and rescinded just weeks later, has announced his newest oral commitment, this time to Florida. Although his word is currently with the Gators and head coach Billy Donovan, he said he is not yet ready to sign a letter of intent.

"I still have to talk that over with my dad," Horford said. "After we talk that over, I'll let everyone know when I'm signing.

"(The decision) should be in the next couple days."

While most indicators point to Horford signing with the Gators, he can still recall an oral commitment until he signs.

The Spartans never really resonated with the 6-foot-8, 211-pound forward, though.

"MSU recruited me, but not as hard," Horford said. "They're a great school and have a good basketball program, but I just thought Florida recruited me the hardest."

As a junior last season, Horford averaged 18.1 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. He said he took two visits to Florida during October, one including a trip to the Gators' version of Midnight Madness.

"They're pretty crazy," Horford said. "Those fans are energetic. It was a nice crowd."

But as for Horford's hoodwink of the Wolverines and head coach Tommy Amaker, Horford said he blames it all on boiled-over "emotions."

"I went to the Notre Dame-Michigan game," Horford said of his visit to Ann Arbor on Sept. 13. "I really like Coach Amaker, but after I committed, I wasn't so sure about everything.

"I thought I did it in a rush."

Horford's coach at Grand Ledge, Tony Sweet, could not be reached.

He told The State News in September that Horford's commitment to U-M seemed "early."

Currently, the Spartans have one remaining spot for the 2004 recruiting class.

Horford joins former Saginaw prep star Anthony Roberson as the second Michigan recruit lured to Gainesville, Fla. by Donovan and his coaching staff.

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