The Brooklyn Nets have 52 jersey numbers worn by over 600 different players over the course of their history since the franchise was founded in 1967 as a charter member of the American Basketball Association (ABA), when the team was known as the “New Jersey Americans”.
Since then, that league has been absorbed by the NBA with the team that would later become the New York Nets and New Jersey Nets before settling on the name by which they are known today, bringing their rich player and jersey history with them to the league of today.
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To commemorate the players who played for the Nets over the decades wearing those 52 different jersey numbers, Nets Wire is covering the entire history of the franchise’s jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team.
EAST RUTHERFORD, UNITED STATES: Indiana Pacers guard Kevin Ollie (R) gets fouled from behind by New Jersey Nets forward Keith Van Horn (L) in the third quarter 20 April, 2002 during the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, NJ. The Pacers beat the Nets 89-83 to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. AFP PHOTO/Matt CAMPBELL (Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images)
And for today’s article, we will continue with the 13th of 21 people to wear the No. 44 jersey, forward alum Keith Van Horn. After ending his college career at Utah was picked up with the second overall selection of the 1987 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Fullerton, California native played the first five seasons of his pro career with the (then) New Jersey (now, Brooklyn) Nets after a near-draft night deal, coming to an end when he was dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2002.
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During his time suiting up for the Nets, Van Horn wore only jersey No. 44 and put up 18.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets jersey history No. 44 – Keith Van Horn (1987-2002)