Keith Van Horn

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Lore & Background

Van Horn's tenure with the Nets was defined by his immediate impact and resilience. After being acquired on draft night, he earned a spot on the 1998 NBA All-Rookie Team, averaging a team-leading 19.7 points and 6.5 rebounds in his first season. His peak performance arrived in the lockout-shortened 1998–99 campaign, where he posted career highs in scoring efficiency alongside 8.5 rebounds per game. A specific highlight occurred on March 26 of that season when he recorded a career-high six blocks while scoring 22 points against the Indiana Pacers in a 100–91 loss. The arrival of point guard Jason Kidd in 2001 shifted Van Horn's role, yet he remained vital, leading the team in rebounding and placing second in scoring during the 2001–02 season that culminated in an NBA Finals run.

In Their Own Story

The Nets' path to the 2002 NBA Finals was punctuated by specific moments of Van Horn's clutch play. In the first-round matchup against the Indiana Pacers, the series came down to a deciding Game Five. With the team needing a victory to advance, Van Horn erupted for 27 points in a 120–109 win that sent New Jersey to the Finals for the first time in franchise history. However, the finals themselves proved difficult; swept by the Los Angeles Lakers in four games, Van Horn faced criticism for his performance, averaging only 10.5 points and shooting 38.6% from the floor during the series. Despite the disappointment, his contribution of leading the team in rebounding throughout that regular season solidified his place as a core piece of the roster.

Reader's Guide

Keith Van Horn's time with the Nets began immediately after the 1997 draft and concluded when he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers on August 6, 2002. He served as a primary scoring option early in his career, leading the franchise in points for two consecutive seasons. His playing style adapted as Jason Kidd joined the team in 2001; while his scoring average dipped to 14.8 points per game that season, he became the team's top rebounder. Fans should note that Van Horn was part of a complex trade on draft night involving multiple players like Tim Thomas and Jim Jackson. His departure marked the end of an era for the Nets, as he was sent back to Philadelphia in exchange for center Dikembe Mutombo after five seasons.

Did You Know?

• On draft night in 1997, Van Horn was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers (who picked him 2nd overall) to the New Jersey Nets.
• In the 1998–99 season, he averaged 21.8 points per game, ranking fifth in the entire NBA.
• During his college career at Utah, he became the all-time leading scorer in Western Athletic Conference (WAC) history with 2,542 points.
• On March 26, 1999, Van Horn recorded a career-high six blocked shots in a single game against the Indiana Pacers.
• Van Horn was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for Tim Thomas; this marked the second time these two players were traded directly for each other.