In this modern world of macho, trash-talking, in-your-face athletes, Keith Van Horn stands apart from the crowd.
The soft-spoken University of Utah basketball star doesn't have a tatoos on his biceps, doesn't wear an earring and even wears his baseball cap with the bill in front, rather than backward.Van Horn remains as unassuming, unpretentious and yes - humble - as the day he came to Utah as an unheralded freshman three years ago.
"He's genuine," says Ute coach Rick Majerus. "He's very sincere. Keith's a steadying influence on our team, a picture of poise and composure."
Off the court Van Horn is quiet and prefers to be by himself or with close friends and family. He's no party animal and you won't find him in the middle of one of those high-stakes card games with the other players on airplane flights. Yet he is well-respected by his teammates as one of team's captains along with senior Mark Rydalch.
"He's quiet off the court, but on the court he's assumed the mantle of leadership," said Majerus. "He's emerging as a team leader, by his example and by his words. He's done a wonderful job."
His exploits on the court have been pretty wonderful also.
As a freshman, Van Horn was named the WAC Freshman of the Year and last year he earned WAC Player of the Year honors. This year he was selected to at least a half dozen preseason All-America teams and numerous NBA scouts have been drooling all season over the prospects of drafting him.
Van Horn's numbers this season are nearly identical to last year, even though the Utes have better depth and more scoring options. He scores 20.5 points per game on 53 percent shooting, 82 percent free throw shooting and averages 8.9 rebounds per game. He's already climbed to ninth place on the all-time Ute scoring list and will likely move up to third place by the end of the season.
For his accomplishments over the past year, Van Horn is the 1995 Deseret News Athlete of the Year, joining a Who's Who list of former winners that includes Luther Elliss, Ty Detmer, Missy Marlowe, Steve Young, Scott Mitchell and Danny Ainge. He'll be honored with a plaque at a luncheon hosted by the Deseret News.
Van Horn led his team to a 28-6 finish in 1995 is a big reason why the Utes are 16-3 this year and ranked No. 7 in the country. Even if his numbers haven't changed much from a year ago, he's become a better all-around player, something his biggest critic has noticed.
"His defense has improved immeasureably after starting at ground zero," said Majerus. "He's gotten stronger and more physical and become a better passer. He's improved and that's all you can ask of a player."
Majerus has also been pleased the way Van Horn has taken his role as captain to heart and the way he takes charge on the court. Van Horn has definitely become more feisty as evidenced by his little scuffle with Nathan Cooper in the BYU game.
Van Horn is an example of one of those good players Majerus has been able to find and develop into a very good player.
Although he had letters from about 100 colleges, Van Horn's choices came down to Utah, Arizona State and California. He chose Utah in large part because of Majerus and the Salt Lake area and has never had any regrets.
The "defining moment" in Majerus's recruitment of Van Horn came that summer after Van Horn's junior season when Majerus went to watch him play. He saw Van Horn at a camp in Santa Barbara at 10 o'clock one morning and was surprised to see Van Horn over playing in Pomona at 3 in the afternoon.
"That might not seem important to people in around here, but that drive is a nerve-wracking, bumper-to-bumper 150-mile drive," said Majerus. "Most kids would be poolside by the afternoon, but Keith showed me how much he loved to play. He got there early and stayed late."
Van Horn acknowledges that he was a late bloomer, growing out of an awkward stage after his sophomore year in high school. He has always concentrated on basketball and doesn't consider himself a great athlete.
He played little league soccer and a bit of volleyball and tennis. But he hardly ever touched a bat and ball growing up and football was out of the question. While a lot of basketball players turn to golf as an offseason diversion, Van Horn joins Karl Malone as one of the few basketball players who shuns the sport.
Van Horn is blessed with some athletic ability as evidenced by his good hands and his excellent jumping ability (with a 40-inch vertical leap, he not only tops among the Utes, but most other college players).
"For being 6-9, I guess I'm better than average," he says. "I'm not a great athlete, but I do have some gifts."
Although Majerus agrees Van Horn has certain god-given abilities, he calls him a "self-made" player. "Every day since he's been at Utah he's tried to address some part of his game," said Majerus.
Assistant coach Jeff Judkins says Van Horn reminds him of himself because of the hours he'll spend shooting baskets. "Most players these days don't take the time like he does," said Judkins.
The big question on everyone's minds about Van Horn is this - Will he stay or will he go? A junior, Van Horn can declare for the NBA draft or play his senior season at Utah.
If you listen to Van Horn, he'll be around another year.
"I want to stay," he said. "I want to finish up school and get my degree. I like the bunch of guys I play with and we'll have a good team coming back next year."
Friends of Van Horn's say the same thing, that he sincerely plans on staying another year.
But Majerus, who in some ways has become a father figure since the death of Keith's father two years ago, could be the biggest factor in the decision.
"If I see the money's there, I'll kick him out the door," says Majerus, who has many friends in the NBA with whom he'll consult to find out about Van Horn's prospects.
The general consensus is that Van Horn would be a first-round draft choice if he came out this year and perhaps a lottery pick if he came out next year.
Since professional athletes aren't eligible for the award, Van Horn just might end up being the Deseret News Athlete of the Year again in 1996 if he decides to stay in college.