by Mike Lieberman, Sixers.com
posted June 24, 2003

Van Horn at Utah Became first player in conference history to be named WAC Player of the Year three times (1995, '96, '97) Only the second player in WAC history to make first-team all-WAC four years. Leading career scorer in Utah and WAC history with 2,542 points

Over the past several years, a player like Keith Van Horn has become a rarity. I am not talking about the fact that he is six-foot-ten and has the inside-outside game going on. I am talking about the fact that he stayed in college all four years.

"I just enjoyed college and thought it was a great experience, both on the basketball court and off it," said Van Horn. "I think it really helps a person grow and mature. I just loved it, so that's why I stuck around."

Van Horn had quite a career at the University of Utah where he was decorated with many accolades. He fell just short of ending his collegiate career on a high note by making it to the Final Four. His Utes fell to Kentucky in the Elite Eight.

"It was disappointing, but at the same time, I felt at the time the season was over that we got as far as we could," said Van Horn of that game. "We had no regrets and can look back at all of the great experiences that we had."

Following his four-year run at Utah, Van Horn was chosen by the Philadelphia 76ers with the second pick of the 1997 NBA Draft. The first player chosen in that draft was another senior, Tim Duncan. It was the first time since 1990 that two college seniors (Derrick Coleman and Gary Payton) were taken with the first two picks. It has also been the last time since.

"(Getting drafted) was always a goal of mine since I was a little kid. " said Van Horn. "Not many people are able to realize a dream that they have been dreaming since they were 6, 7 or 8 years old. I just felt very lucky."

During that time, the Sixers were among one of the bottom teams in the Eastern Conference, but had promising young stars in Allen Iverson and Jerry Stackhouse. There was some controversy surrounding Van Horn not wanting to play for the Sixers. He was immediately packaged and dealt to the Nets for their draft pick who turned out to be Tim Thomas and a few other players.

"I expressed to Coach Brown, at the time, that I didn't think that Philadelphia was the best situation for me," said Van Horn of the misunderstanding. "If they drafted me and I came here, then I would have given everything that I could have to the team. I think it was just a case when everything got blown a little bit out of proportion."

Five years later, Van Horn has come full circle, after being traded to the team that originally drafted him.

“	If they drafted me and I came here, then I would have given everything that I could have to the team.” — Keith Van Horn

"I’m in a completely different situation and the Sixers are, obviously, in a different situation," said Van Horn during the press conference when he was re-introduced to the Sixers.

Van Horn's return was immediately scorned by the Philadelphia media and fans alike, but Van Horn did his best to prove them wrong by shooting a career best 48.2 percent from the floor; finishing second on the team in scoring, averaging 15.9 ppg and grabbing a team-best 524 rebounds.

In his short NBA career, Van Horn has taken a path that might have detered most young players. He has played in two of the toughest basketball towns in the world New Jersey (New York) and Philadelphia, leading to harsh criticism from fans and media. If Van Horn was a 20 year old with only a year or two of college under his belt, then maybe this would have fazed him. But Keith believes that the four years of college had helped to prepare him for the harsh rigors of the NBA life.

"I think that after having more experience and maturity allows you to deal with (the media and fans) because that's part of the game and that is part of playing in a big city," said Van Horn. "I think that age and experience definitely helps you out in that area."

Age and experience, two things that are rarities when it comes to the NBA Draft these days. Luckily for Keith Van Horn and the Sixers, he has both.