The UCSB men’s basketball team has landed its second key transfer in the last six weeks.
Forward Keegan Hornbuckle, who played as a freshman at the University of Colorado during the 2009-10 season, has transferred into the Gauchos’ program and will have three years of eligibility remaining beginning with the 2011-12 season.
Point guard Nate Garth transferred to UCSB from New Mexico in May.
Hornbuckle is an athletic and versatile player who can play both inside and out. At 6-foot-7, 205 pounds, he can shoot the 3-pointer and drive to the basket. He reminds UCSB head coach Bob Williams of several of his former players.
“He’s a perfect fit,” Williams said. “He can help us carry on in the tradition of what Branduinn Fullove and Mark Hull started, what Al Harris and Chris Devine continued, and what James Nunnally and Orlando Johnson are doing right now.
“Keegan is the same type of player,” he continued. “He is a versatile, large wing, the type of player that has always been so important to our program. He shoots it, bounces it, defends, and rebounds. He’s a very skilled all-around player.”
Hornbuckle, a native of Westlake Village, attended Campbell Hall High School in North Hollywood. He said that he weighed several factors in his decision to select UCSB.
“On my visit, I thought that I really fit in well with the players and that the coaches did a good job of explaining to me what my role would be,” Hornbuckle said. “I also wanted to be closer to home, I like the Santa Barbara area, and my brother Matt is going to play at Westmont. It was all a good fit.”
Despite a shoulder injury that sidelined him for six full games, Hornbuckle played in 24 contests as a freshman at Colorado. He averaged 2.4 points and 1.6 rebounds per game in an average of 11.4 minutes. Also, while he made 45.3 percent of his field goal attempts, he drilled 9-of-18 from 3-point range.
In 2010-11 UCSB will return all five starters and most of the key players from a team that won the Big West Conference regular season and tournament titles for the first time in school history. Included among the returnees are 2010 Big West Player of the Year Orlando Johnson, Second Team All-Big West choice James Nunnally, starting point guard Will Brew, starting forward Jaimé Serna, and 7-foot-3 center Greg Somogyi. All five will be juniors and will still be on the team when Hornbuckle and Garth become eligible in 2011-12.
Season tickets for the 2011-12 basketball season will go on sale in July.
