Former Razorbacks Daniel Gafford and Jordan Walsh vying for 2024 NBA championship

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – With the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics clashing in game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals on Sunday, one thing that’s guaranteed is a former Razorback will win a championship when the series is over.

The Dallas Mavericks are led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but one of their biggest rising stars and defensive anchors is El Dorado native and former Hog Daniel Gafford who is making his first appearance.

In Boston, former Razorback Jordan Walsh, a native of Dallas, is experiencing the Finals in his rookie year on a squad led by Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis.

The Los Angeles Lakers' Glen Rice reacts after sinking a 3-pointer against the Phoenix Suns in the first quarter of game five of the Western Conference semifinals, Tuesday, May 16, 2000, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Boston Celtics Paul Silas (35) runs around Bucks Oscar Robertson and scores with a lay-up shot during an NBA playoff game, April 29, 1978, Milwaukee, Wisc. Boston won the first game of the championship series, 98-83. (AP Photo)
The Chicago Bulls' Scottie Pippen gets doused with champagne in the locker room after the Bulls beat the Suns 99-98 win their third consecutive NBA title at Phoenix, June 20, 1993. (AP Photo/Scott Troyanos)
The Detroit Pistons' Lindsey Hunter (10) celebrates a fourth quarter basket that put his team up byy 13 points against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 6, 2004. Hunter is joined by teammates Corliss Williamson, left, and Darvin Ham. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, right, celebrates with Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek Fisher after winning Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference basketball finals against the San Antonio Spurs, Thursday, May 29, 2008 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis yells to the crowd as he holds the NBA Championship trophy and a belt during a parade celebrating the Milwaukee Bucks' NBA Championship basketball team Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) drives to the basket against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh (27) plays defense in the second half of an NBA basketball preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
From left to right, Boston Celtics center Al Horford, guard Jordan Walsh, forward Jayson Tatum and center Luke Kornet cheer during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) reacts to a foul being called against him by referee Kevin Scott (24) during the second half of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NBA basketball playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Thursday, May 30, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) shoots as Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and guard Jrue Holiday (4) defend during the first half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum (0) passes the ball as Dallas Mavericks' Derrick Jones Jr. and Daniel Gafford (21) defend during the second half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

If Gafford and the Mavericks win the 2024 NBA championship, he will become the tenth Arkansan to win an NBA title, joining the ranks of Moses Moody, Bobby Portis, Glen Rice and Corliss Williamson and more.

Though not a former Razorback, the Arkansan with the most NBA titles is Scottie Pippen with six titles as part of the Chicago Bulls. Other players from the Natural State with multiple NBA titles include Derek Fisher’s five as part of the Lakers and Paul Silas who won twice in Boston and once with the Seattle Supersonics.

If Jordan Walsh’s Boston Celtics beat his hometown Mavs and win the title, he will become the fourth former Razorback not from the Natural State to win a ring, joining Scott Hastings, Joe Kleine and Darrell Walker.

Game 2 of the NBA Finals takes place on Sunday at 7 p.m. To follow more Arkansas sports news, visit our Pig Trail Nation page.

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