Arizona Wildcats by Position: Power Forward

Jamelle Horne

                                 

           Hometown: San Diego, California 

          6'7 220 lbs. 

       #42

           Junior 

 Coming out of high school, Jamelle Horne was ranked as the 22nd best recruit in the class of 2006. In his first two years at Arizona, Horne has showed flashes of pure brilliance like when he scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against Kansas. But Horne has also commited some questionable fouls that eventually cost Arizona two games last season. 

This year, Horne has a fresh slate to show Arizona fans what he is truely capable of. After spending the summer working out with now Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans, Horne learned a lot and said “He (Evans) taught me about toughness (and) about being a dog and not letting (an opponent) breath – and taking your heart. That’s the type of player Tyreke is.’’ Toughness is what this young Arizona team will need this season and Horne will be one of the leaders along with Nic Wise. 

Horne will have to post consistent numbers this season. During the first exhibition game, Horne looked like the best player on the court scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. If this type of production become consistent, Arizona will be in good shape. Horne is a excellent finisher around the basket and has a tremoundous vertical leap. His perimeter shooting has come a long way and he has no fear about shooting the ball from deep. Expect Horne to be the vocal leader for this Arizona team and Horne know this. “I’ve got to be a guy who gets into us in the huddles and gets into us in timeouts,’’ he said. “When we’re down by 10 I have to be that guy this year.’’ With such high potential, Horne should be one of the better players in the Pac 10 and expect him to contribute much more this season.