To understand Jordan Horston the Lady Vols basketball star, start with dad
Jordan Horston was getting the ball every time.
The final three plays of the Virginia Tech game on Dec. 4 were drawn up for her, and the Lady Vols senior guard nearly carried her team to a comeback win.
The belief in Thompson-Boling Arena was palpable as both her game-tying shots hung in the air, because she had done it before.
It was Horston all the way — and that’s how she wants it, win or lose.
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That fearlessness and poise was instilled in Horston by her father, Leigh, who has coached basketball Horston’s whole life. To understand the dominant player Horston has become, look no further than the man who taught her the game.
“Just being around him," Horston said, "just picking up on the things he used to do, has allowed me to see the game and be a better player."
How Jordan Horston's dad molded her
Horston’s final chance to tie the Virginia Tech game was with less than 2 seconds left. She launched a desperate 3-pointer after reeling in a long pass.
Horston missed by inches, but she can live with that. She has never been one to shy away from game-defining moments because of Leigh.
He taught his daughter qualities he saw in the players he coached. The courage he saw in former Michigan star Trey Burke was one of them. Leigh was the Northland assistant coach when Burke led the team to the 2009 state title.
“He was fearless,” Leigh said. “I tried to instill that in her. You can’t ever be scared to take that shot – you got to have that confidence.”
Leigh coached talents like Burke and former Kentucky point guard Tyler Ulis, both of whom were NBA Draft picks. But Horston was always his best student.
"I’d show her something and the next game, she's out there doing it,” Leigh said. “I think that's the first thing – if you really love basketball, love the game, love what you're doing, you get more involved in it. She just found a love for the game at an early age.”
Ulis’ ability to affect the game without scoring was another quality Leigh pushed his daughter to develop.
Horston has stuffed the stat sheet throughout her Tennessee career. She is 24 assists away from being the fourth Lady Vol to surpass 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 400 assists, joining an elite group of Kara Lawson, Dena Head and Alexis Hornbuckle. Her ability to impact every area of the game made her a consistent starter, even before she became one of Tennessee's most reliable scorers.
Horston is the most efficient player on the team this season and she's shooting the highest percentage of her career at 45%. Twelve games into her senior campaign, Horston is averaging 16 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 steals in 24.4 minutes.
Why Horston wants to follow in her dad's footsteps
Horston inbounded the ball to Tamari Key, who handed it off to Horston inside the baseline. She missed her game-tying attempt with 4.5 seconds left against the Hokies, but it was the shot she wanted.
Horston could have driven around Virginia Tech’s Elizabeth Kitley. But she recognized her shot and took it immediately, giving the Lady Vols a chance at a rebound and put-back.
Leigh began building Jordan’s basketball IQ as soon as she could understand the game, and she jumped at every opportunity. Leigh remembers she was just always there, whether she was running stations at his basketball camps or helping him scout other teams.
"She had that same fire that I had when I was younger, and she just loves it,” Leigh said. “When you love something, you want to pass it on to somebody else and tell people what you know.”
When Leigh switched to coaching girls high school basketball from boys, he made Horston, who was in fifth grade, his team manager.
That sparked a passion for coaching in Horston, and she plans to follow in her dad’s footsteps after her playing career ends. She got a taste of it hosting her own camp in her hometown Columbus, Ohio, last summer.
“My dad is my hero,” Horston said.
Leigh remembers playing one-on-one with his daughter during his summers off as a teacher. His classroom demeanor carried to basketball as he molded her in their driveway. It took Horston until high school – when she grew six inches – to start beating her dad.
They don’t play as often now, which is because of Leigh, according to Horston.
“He don’t wanna play me no more,” she laughed. “I don’t want to hurt his back.”
How Jordan Horston takes after her dad
Horston hit an elbow jumper with 10.3 seconds left, bringing Tennessee within two points of Virginia Tech.
Her smooth, signature jumper looks just like Leigh’s. Malika Horston still remembers how her husband played at Capital University in Columbus, and she sees his game again each time Jordan takes the court.
“I have friends be like, ‘Oh, that’s Leigh Horston dribbling up the basketball court,’” Leigh said. “But honestly, I couldn't score the way she can – I can't do half the stuff that she can do.”
But the similarities between the two aren’t just on the court. Malika calls them twins.
They have the same build and looks, while the most striking similarity is their personalities. Horston’s mannerisms, speech and temperament are a reflection of her father. Leigh’s humor is as effortless as his daughter’s, whose charisma has made her the best recruiter on the team.
Horston and Leigh’s relationship didn’t start with basketball. But that’s all she can remember growing up – being in the gym together.
“It’s always going to be a very special bond that we have together,” Horston said. “We connected through basketball ... He pushed me, he loves me and he’s my number one fan.”
Leigh set the foundation for the player his daughter is today, and one day she'll pass it on just like he did.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: To know Jordan Horston the Lady Vols basketball star, start with dad
