Jeff Hornacek facts for kids
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Hornacek in 2013
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| [[Utah Jazz|Utah Jazz]] | |
|---|---|
| Coaching consultant | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | May 3, 1963 Elmhurst, Illinois, U.S. |
| High school | Lyons Township (La Grange, Illinois) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Iowa State (1982–1986) |
| NBA Draft | 1986 / Round: 2 / Pick: 46th overall |
| Selected by the Phoenix Suns | |
| Pro career | 1986–2000 |
| Coaching career | 2011–Present |
| League | NBA |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1986–1992 | Phoenix Suns |
| 1992–1994 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1994–2000 | Utah Jazz |
| As coach: | |
| 2011–2013 | Utah Jazz (assistant) |
| 2013–2016 | Phoenix Suns |
| 2016–2018 | New York Knicks |
| 2020–2022 | Houston Rockets (assistant) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 15,659 (14.5 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 3,646 (3.4 rpg) |
| Assists | 5,281 (4.9 apg) |
Jeffrey John Hornacek (born May 3, 1963) is an American professional basketball coach and a former player. He is currently a coaching consultant for the Utah Jazz in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before this, he was the head coach for the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks. He also worked as an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets. Hornacek played as a shooting guard in the NBA from 1986 to 2000. He also played college basketball at Iowa State University.
Contents
Early Life and School Years
Jeff Hornacek grew up in Illinois. He went to Komarek Elementary School in North Riverside. Later, he attended Gurrie Middle School and Lyons Township High School in La Grange.
College Basketball Career
Hornacek started at Iowa State University in 1981. He was a "walk-on" player, meaning he joined the team without a scholarship. He played for the Cyclones from 1982 to 1986. His father was a high school basketball coach, so Jeff grew up around the sport.
He became a top player in the Big Eight Conference. As a point guard, he helped the Cyclones reach the "Sweet Sixteen" in the 1986 NCAA tournament. A memorable moment happened in Minneapolis in 1986. Hornacek made a shot to tie the game and send it into overtime. Then, he hit a 26-foot shot at the buzzer in overtime. This shot gave Iowa State their first NCAA tournament win since 1944. They beat Miami University 81–79. Two days later, he led the Cyclones to an upset win over Michigan.
Hornacek finished his college career with 665 assists and 1,313 points. In 1991, his No. 14 jersey was retired by Iowa State. This means no other player on the team can wear that number.
NBA Playing Career
Playing for the Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns drafted Jeff Hornacek in 1986. He was the 46th player picked overall. The Suns had a tough time in his first two seasons. But things changed when they got coach Cotton Fitzsimmons and player Tom Chambers. The team improved a lot, going from 28 wins to 55 wins in one year.
Hornacek was a key player, often the third scoring option after Chambers and Kevin Johnson. This group helped the Suns make it to the NBA playoffs four times. They even reached the Western Conference Finals twice. In the 1991–92 season, Hornacek was the Suns' top scorer, averaging 20.1 points per game. He was also chosen to be an NBA All-Star that year.
Time with the Philadelphia 76ers
In 1992, Hornacek was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a big trade for Charles Barkley. With another strong scorer, Hersey Hawkins, already playing shooting guard, Hornacek was asked to play point guard. In his only full season with the Sixers (1992–93), he had a career-high 6.9 assists per game. However, the team struggled, winning only 26 games.
Success with the Utah Jazz
In 1994, Hornacek was traded to the Utah Jazz. This move allowed him to return to his natural position as a shooting guard. He played alongside two NBA legends, Karl Malone and John Stockton. Like in Phoenix, Hornacek was a very important "third option" for the Jazz.
He helped the Jazz reach the NBA Finals in both 1997 and 1998. In both years, they played against the Chicago Bulls and lost. Hornacek stayed with the Jazz until 2000, when knee problems forced him to retire. He had no left meniscus, which is a part of the knee that helps with cushioning.
On November 23, 1994, Hornacek set an NBA record by making eight three-pointers in a single game. He was also one of the best free throw shooters in the league. He once made 67 free throws in a row! One of his famous habits was stroking the side of his face three times before every free-throw attempt. This was his way of saying hello to his three children during the game. He retired with one of the highest free-throw percentages in NBA history.
Hornacek won the NBA three-point shooting contest twice. He also won the All-Star 2-Ball Challenge with Natalie Williams. After the 1999–2000 season, he retired to spend more time with his family. The Utah Jazz retired his No. 14 jersey to honor his contributions to the team. He played 1,077 games in his 14-year NBA career.
NBA Career Highlights
Jeff Hornacek had a successful NBA career. He played 1,077 games, scoring 15,659 points (averaging 14.5 points per game). He also had 5,281 assists (4.9 per game) and 1,536 steals (1.43 per game). He was known for his excellent shooting, especially from the free-throw line and three-point range.
Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Hornacek joined the Jazz again in 2007 as a special assistant coach. He helped players improve their shooting skills. In 2011, he became a full assistant coach for the Utah Jazz.
In 2013, Hornacek became the head coach of the Phoenix Suns. He said his coaching style was similar to his former coaches, Cotton Fitzsimmons and Jerry Sloan. In his first season as head coach (2013–14), the Suns improved greatly. They won 23 more games than the previous season, finishing with a 48–34 record. This made them the most improved team that year. Hornacek was even the runner-up for the NBA Coach of the Year Award.
However, on February 1, 2016, the Suns fired Hornacek. On June 2, 2016, he was hired as the new head coach for the New York Knicks. His first season with the Knicks started well, but the team ended with a 31–51 record. The Knicks fired him on April 12, 2018, after a 29–53 season.
In 2020, Hornacek joined the Houston Rockets as an assistant coach. Since September 15, 2022, he has been working as a coaching consultant for the Utah Jazz.
Personal Life
Jeff Hornacek is married to Stacy, and they have three children: Ryan, Tyler, and Abby. His daughter, Abby, works as a digital host for Fox Nation. Jeff's father, John, was also a high school basketball and baseball coach. Jeff credits his father, along with Cotton Fitzsimmons and Jerry Sloan, as big influences on his coaching career.
See also
In Spanish: Jeff Hornacek para niños
- List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders
- List of National Basketball Association career 3-point field goal percentage leaders
- List of National Basketball Association career free throw percentage leaders
