Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
Jeffrey John Hornacek is a retired American professional basketball player and coach, renowned for his sharpshooting skills and basketball IQ. Below is an overview of his personal details and career achievements:
Player Profile
- Full Name: Jeffrey John Hornacek
- Nationality: American
- Date of Birth: May 3, 1963
- Hometown: Elmhurst, Illinois
- Height: 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm)
- Weight: 190 pounds (86 kg)
- Wingspan: 6 feet 6 inches (198cm)
- Shoe Size: Size 12 (US)
- Position: Shooting Guard / Point Guard
- Jersey Number: 14
- High School: Lyons Township High School, La Grange, Illinois
- College: Iowa State University (1982–1986)
- Walk-on player who became a standout, setting the Big Eight record for career assists (665).
- Led Iowa State to the Sweet Sixteen in the 1986 NCAA Tournament.
- His jersey number 14 was retired by Iowa State.
- NBA Draft: Selected by the Phoenix Suns in the 2nd round (46th overall) of the 1986 NBA Draft.
- Teams Played For:
- Phoenix Suns (1986–1992)
- Philadelphia 76ers (1992–1994)
- Utah Jazz (1994–2000)
- Career Highlights:
- NBA All-Star (1992)
- Two-time NBA Three-Point Contest champion (1998, 2000)
- His jersey number 14 was retired by the Utah Jazz.
- Championship Rings: None
- Coaching Career:
- Assistant Coach: Utah Jazz (2011–2013)
- Head Coach:
- Phoenix Suns (2013–2016)
- New York Knicks (2016–2018)
- Assistant Coach: Houston Rockets (2020–2022)
- Children: Three; including Ryan and Tyler Hornacek.
- Siblings: Information not publicly available.
Player Archetype / Play Style
Jeff Hornacek was a polished combo guard whose archetype centered on efficient perimeter scoring, secondary playmaking, and smart off-ball offense rather than takeover isolation. Defensively, he was more of a disciplined team defender than a shutdown stopper, using positioning, effort, and awareness to stay attached to guards and wings without relying on elite size or explosiveness. Offensively, his role was highly valuable: he spaced the floor, hit jumpers at a high rate, made quick reads, and served as a reliable connector next to primary creators, which fit both his shooting-guard and point-guard usage over the course of his career. Physically, Hornacek was listed at 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, giving him adequate backcourt size with a lean, functional frame. In style, he played as a sharp, low-mistake offensive guard whose game was built on shooting touch, timing, ball movement, and steady decision-making rather than flash. (Basketball Reference)
Sources:
Jeff Hornacek Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and More — Basketball-Reference
This Date in the NBA: May — NBA.com
Jeff Hornacek — The Sporting News / Britannica