Gov. Don Siegelman proclaimed "Robert Horry Day" in Alabama on Friday and honored the Alabama native during a reception at the Governor's Mansion for his accomplishments in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

"From his days of dunking at Andalusia High to draining three-pointers for the L.A. Lakers, Robert has truly made the most of his opportunity to live his dream of playing basketball," Siegelman said. "I speak for all Alabamians in saying, Robert Horry will always be a champion in our hearts and a role model for our children."

More than 250 children from Montgomery and the surrounding area were invited to the reception.

Many of the children play basketball in the Montgomery YMCA and other leagues.

Horry grew up in Andalusia, where he was named Naismith's Alabama High School Basketball Player of the Year and named Mr. Basketball by Alabama sports writers during his senior year. The Naismith Award is named for James A. Naismith, who is recognized as the inventor of basketball.

Naismith winners are selected for boys and girls basketball annually in each state.

Horry starred at the University of Alabama from 1989-92, where he was named to the All-SEC Team twice and played on three Southeastern Conference Tournament Championship Teams in 1989, 1990 and 1991.

He was drafted in the first round of the 1992 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team for the 1992-93 season. During the 1996-97 season, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns and, later that same year, traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Horry has played in the playoffs in every one of his 10 seasons in the NBA.

He has played on five NBA Championship Teams, two with Houston (1994 and 1995) and three with Los Angeles (2000, 2001 and 2002).

Robert and his wife, Keva, reside in Houston, Texas with their two children, Ashlyn and Camron.

Last week, Siegelman established the Alabama State Sports Commission (ASSC) by Executive Order Number 72.

ASSC will promote sports development and sports tourism in the state and promote the health and wellness of Alabamians statewide.

"Alabama takes great pride in the vast number of sporting activities available for citizens to enjoy," Siegelman said. "Many of those sporting events provide substantial economic benefits for communities and the state.

"This commission will promote Alabama as an ideal site for a variety of sporting events, as well as work to protect and promote the health of all Alabama athletes, particularly our children," he added.