Jeff Hornacek may not have looked the part of NBA sharp-shooter at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, but he was a tough competitor over 14 NBA seasons and played in back-to-back finals with the Utah Jazz.
A point guard early in his career, Hornacek’s career took off after the Phoenix Suns acquired Kevin Johnson and moved Hornacek to the 2 spot.
After six seasons in Phoenix, he was the centerpiece of the return package the Suns sent to the Philadelphia 76ers to get Charles Barkley and a season and a half later was dealt to the Jazz, where his career re-ignited.
Over 16 seasons, he averaged 14.5 points, 4.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 31.5 minutes per game, shooting 49.6 percent overall, 40.3 percent on 1.9 3-point attempts per game and 87.7 percent at the line.
He led the NBA in foul shooting in his final season, 1999-2000, at 95.0 percent.
Hornacek was a career 43.3 percent shooter from 3-point range in 140 playoff games, taking two attempts a game — in a very different era for offense.
Hornacek ranks 18th all-time in free throw shooting and 35th on the 3-point percentage list, while also ranking 40th with 1,536 career steals.
Seldom was Hornacek the best player on his team, but he was always that player who made teams better.