Averaging career highs in points (15.3), field goal percentage (.557) and free throw percentage (.789) while also posting 9.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in 2010-11, he was named a NBA All-Star for the second-straight season just months after Atlanta locked him up long-term with an impressive five-year, $60 million contract extension in November.

OGGOA caught up with the two-time National Champion, two-time NCAA Finals Most Valuable Player and member of the 2008 NBA All-Rookie Team while he was in Lexington, KY practicing with the Dominican Republic National Team. Horford, who is working out in facilities usually occupied by the Kentucky Wildcats due to his team being led by Kentucky head coach John Calipari, has found himself learning a new system in enemy territory. He spoke with us just after completing practice about a variety of topics including his new contract, reminiscing with the Oh Fours, representing his country and performing some Gator Chomps in the near future.

ADAM SILVERSTEIN: Last time we spoke was a year and a half ago just before you played in your first All-Star game. You went back and posted some career highs this season. To what do you attribute your continued improvement?
AL HORFORD: “There’s really no secret behind that, it’s all about putting in the time in the summer. I always try to focus on something different in the offseason that I want to work on and improve. This past summer I got a chance to work with [veteran skills trainer] Rob McClanaghan, a great basketball trainer who works with a lot of other guys in the league including Derrick Rose. He helped me a lot with my game, but I think at the end of the day it is just all about taking the time and making a commitment to work and keep getting better in the offseason.”

AS: Is there any type of competition between you and Jo[akim Noah]? Obviously you were came out of the same school and were picked high in the 2007 NBA Draft, but you’re also playing the same position and competing in the Eastern Conference, too.
AH: “Nah, not really. Me and Joakim, when we talk, we rarely talk basketball. I’m sure he wants to do good and great for his team, and I do the same, but I think at the end of the day we’re not caught up on so much individual stuff. For us, it’s more about our teams and winning and stuff like that. Obviously he has the upper hand on me because of their team because of the playoffs. I know he was happy about that. We’re not competing individually, it’s [more like] how much we impact our individual teams.”

Read the rest of our exclusive interview with Al Horford after the jump!

AS: I spoke with Taurean [Green] a few months ago and he told me about all of you finally reuniting at his wedding. Have the four of you had a lot of opportunities like that since leaving Florida for the NBA? If not, how special was that?
AH: “Honestly, that was the first time that all four of us were together at the same time, I would say, before that it must have been two years. It was like 2009 the last time we were all back together. We realized how much we missed each other. We clicked right away because we all hung out together. At times [prior] it was me, Joakim and Taurean; or those three without me; or us without Corey [Brewer]. This time that we all got together [was special]. I think we’re going to try to make an effort now to get together more often. We shared some great times with the Gators, and we should keep staying close.”

AS: Well to that end, Taurean said that Corey can be the one who is pretty impossible to get in touch with sometimes…
AH: “Yeah, I mean Corey is definitely the hardest to get a hold of. Corey is low-key. You usually know where he’s at, but it’s just a matter of reaching him. He spends a lot of time at home with his parents in Tennessee and stuff like that. We’re going to make a conscious effort to get together more often. Depending what happens with our season, we’re going to try to make it down to Gainesville. I mentioned to the guys that Coach [Billy] Donovan was nice enough to offer us [the ability] to come and work out and use the facilities. I think that would be great. In the past we’ve gone and played pick-up with the guys before the season. That wouldn’t be a bad idea. That’s something as a resource that we can use. Hopefully we can get us together down there in Florida. Taurean could have an issue being in Spain, but at least Corey and Joakim [and I].”

AS: I know that, while you’re comfortable playing center, ideally you really want to play the four. How do you feel about Atlanta’s attempts to get a center to play next to you?
AH: “The more comfortable I get, the more I feel like I can play the four. That’s something they’re going to have to consider. At the end of the day, I think the priority is to see what is going to happen with the lockout and everything. Once that happens, we’ll see where the team is at and we’ll go from there.”

AS: Being the No. 3 overall pick, your rookie contract was nice. But the extension you signed last offseason was even nicer. Have or will you be splurging on anything?
AH: “Not yet. Nothing that I can think of or have done yet. My contract extension kicks in when the next season starts, and I kind of knew there was a possible lockout, so I just got prepared financially. I enjoy my life but am smart about [my money] and am not really spending like that yet. I will eventually do something, but I haven’t thought of anything yet. I have everything I need so we’ll see what happens and what comes to mind.”

AS: Let’s talk about what’s going on with you now. When were you approached about possibly playing for the Dominican Republic national team?
AH: “They approached me in January or February. I played a couple times with them before; [the team has] had some issues. This year they had a new group running the show and everything, and I [appreciated] what they believed in, their philosophy and their vision with our team. Everything was right, so it was a no-brainer for me to represent my country and give them a chance to qualify for the Olympics – something that’s never been done for the Dominican Republic. And we have a legitimate shot.”

AS: Is it strange to be practicing in enemy territory at Kentucky in Lexington?
AH: “It’s different. People here acknowledge me. Surprisingly they’re not too harsh. They usually say, ‘Hey Al, you’re a great player, but Go Cats!’ It’s different. There are Gators in Lexington, surprisingly. They come up out of nowhere and approach me and stuff when I’m out. So it’s always good to see a fellow Gator.”

AS: Obviously you’ve played on a lot of really good teams, and I know there are a few other NBA guys on the roster. How is the team looking right now?
AH: “It’s coming together. We’re running a new system with Coach Calipari. A lot of us are not used to running the way that he runs things. We’re adjusting to it. The biggest thing for us is understanding what he wants us to do, and now we’re trying to put it together, figure it out and move along. Playing exhibition games are going to help us get prepared for the FIBA Americas tournament.”

AS: I know you haven’t been working under him too long yet, but can you compare Calipari with let’s say Donovan as a coach?
AH: “The biggest difference that I’ve noticed is Calipari wants you to attack and dribble-drive to the basket a lot and create that way as opposed to Coach Donovan, who wants us to do more pick-and-rolls or have the ball leave the floor as much as possible – pass-pass-lay-up and things like that. They have some similar concepts – they both believe in transition and running the break and things like that, but they both have a different way [of achieving that]. Calipari uses more dribble hand-offs, and Coach Donovan is more about pick-and-rolls.”

AS: I asked a few readers if they had any questions for you. One of them said they wanted to see you do some Gator Chomps after big-time dunks or plays next year like some of the guys do in the NFL. What do you think about that?
AH: “That is a great idea. That is a great idea. I will consider doing that; however, I have to do it when we’re about to win a game or something like that. I can’t be doing it when we’re down 20. That’s definitely a good idea, and I’ll take that into consideration.”

» OGGOA INTERVIEWS: P Chas Henry | DE Kevin Carter (Part I), (Part II) | Delisha Milton-Jones | DL Joe Cohen | F Chandler Parsons | C Marreese Speights | LB Mike Peterson | PG Taurean Green | QB Tim Tebow | QB Danny Wuerffel | ESPN’s Erin Andrews | ESPN’s Erin Andrews II | DE Alex Brown | WR Percy Harvin | F/C Al Horford | WR David Nelson | QB Shane Matthews | TE Cornelius Ingram | DE Jermaine Cunningham | S Major Wright | LB Earl Everett | DE Justin Trattou | DT Terron Sanders | F/C Chris Richard | DE Lynden Trail

ADAM SILVERSTEIN: The biggest thing going for you right now has to be your selection to your first NBA All-Star Game. How did it feel to earn that honor in only your third season in the league?
AL HORFORD: “It’s a real honor to be nominated to that game. The coaches really have a lot of weight into that decision, and I felt really special that they picked me over a lot of other guys.”

AS: The NBA has been utilizing you to help grow its product abroad. Do you feel any extra pressure in this regard?
AH: “Not really. I think if anything, it’s good. It’s something that, even when I played at Florida, I wanted to put myself in the position to be able to come and play in the NBA. It just feels a good to be a part of the league and a good team.”

Read the rest of our exclusive interview with Al Horford after the jump!

AS: A lot of players dominate in college and then regress in the pros against better competition. Not only have you maintained your production, in many ways you have improved. How have you been able to accomplish that?
AH: “When I got to Florida, I did a lot of work to get better as a player with Coach [Billy] Donovan and Coach [Anthony] Grant, when he was there. And I just progressively got better every year like some of my other teammates who were with me. I think the key with the NBA is I’m still staying hungry, I feel like I can get a lot better still. I’m still working on my game. I have not reached my full potential yet. I think that’s why I’m able to improve every year.”

AS: You played high school basketball in Michigan. What was it about the University of Florida that made you decide to play there?
AH: “To be honest, it was taking that official visit and seeing Gainesville and the campus for myself. I was really sold as soon as I came in – the nice campus and the buildings and the palm trees and everything. I fell in love with that. I never told Coach that. I tried to act tough on my visit, but I knew that I wanted to go there as soon as I saw all of that. I really liked it. To top it off, I got to hang out with Corey Brewer and Taurean Green for my official visit, and I had met Joakim [Noah] – I played with him early in the summer – so I had a chance to spend some time with him, I knew he was going there. It made my decision a lot easier.”

AS: How often do you get a chance to speak with Coach Donovan?
AH: “I talk to him probably once a month. Lately, we’ve been texting a lot more. I always keep up with the Gators – basketball and football.”

AS: Have you been able to watch a lot of Gators basketball this season? From what you have seen, what do they need to work on to be a tournament-caliber team?
AH: “I’ve been able to watch quite a bit. They’ve been on TV more up here. I feel like they’re heading in the right direction now. They are still growing and learning, but I think the bigs really have to pick their game up consistently in order for them to have any chance of making the tournament.”

AS: If you were in Gainesville on Coach Donovan’s staff and had the chance to work with Alex Tyus and Vernon Macklin, how would you coach them up?
AH: “I would tell them to go out there and just play hard and do the things that Coach is telling them to do. Coach is experienced, he’s been there, and he’s looking out for their best interests. [They should not] worry so much about their individual numbers and stuff, just go out there do the things to impact winning – defending, rebounding, blocking shots. From all that, I think that will generate offense for them. That is something that every player looks for. Me and Joakim looked for that when we were there. We followed what Coach had to tell us. We believed in him, and I think that made the biggest difference for our team.”

AS: Finally, how did you end up in Ciara’s “Never Ever” music video last year? Is there anything your fans need to know about that?
AH: [Laughing] “Man, that was crazy. She came to one of my games last year, and I guess she saw me on the court. She got a hold of my agent and sent the information over that she would for like me to participate in her next video. My agent talked to me about it, and as soon as he brought it up, I was like ‘Yeah!’ You always want to be a part of a music video – that was always my thing. So I was so excited, I was like ‘Yeah, I’ll do it!’ I guess she went to the game and saw me and thought that I’d be a good look for the video.” Ciara’s “Never Ever” Music Video (skip to 4:29).

Horford will appear in his first NBA All-Star Game on Sun., Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. on TNT.