Cyclone fans have witnessed a parade of sharpshooting junior college guards in recent years – players who excelled at the community college level and hoped to bring their range to major college basketball.

In 1997, Jerry Curry came to Iowa State based solely on his three-point percentage and left a year later, having shot only 36.4 percent from the field. In fact, Curry quit seeing playing time midway through the season when it became clear that he could do nothing but shoot, and even that was questionable.

Last year, Rodney Hampton filled in adequately for the departed Curry.

Another JC guy with a reputation as a shooter, Hampton had only a mediocre defensive game to complement his 31.1 percent three-point shooting. One year later, he too was gone.

The heir apparent to the disappointing two-guard position would seem, at first glance, to be 6 foot 1 inch junior Kantrail Horton.

A closer look, though, paints a very different picture of Horton than his predecessors.

“He’s not a one-dimensional player at all,” head coach Larry Eustachy said. “For starters, he’s a better shooter than any of those other guys. He’s also tougher-minded, so he can make the shots in anybody’s gym.”

Eustachy is most impressed, however, with the diversity of Horton’s resume.

“The shot doesn’t dictate his game,” Eustachy said. “It’s just one part – just a little bit of what Kantrail brings to the table.”

Horton actually arrived at Iowa State midway through the 1998-99 season, but he sat out to retain his two years of eligibility.

“It was hard for me,” Horton said. “I’m used to playing every season, so it was hard to sit there all last year and watch the guys play.”

Horton didn’t take the year off, however.

“I learned a lot from last season,” he said. “I learned the coach’s system and what he expects, and I learned to go out there and play hard.”

The Georgia native shot nearly 50 percent from behind the stripe two years ago at junior college, but he also turned in very solid rebounding, assist and steal numbers.

“I pretty much do everything,” Horton said. “I’m not going to limit myself to shooting three-pointers. I can play defense, rebound the basketball, pass the ball or run the point guard. I can pretty much do anything out there.

“My role is leadership,” he said. “I hit the shot when we need to, but I’m here to keep everybody together.”

Eustachy’s connection with Horton didn’t begin last year, as the coach actually signed him to play for Utah State during his tenure with the Aggies.

“I’ve known Kantrail for a long time,” Eustachy said. “What he brings, more than anything, is his character, his work ethic and his leadership. On top of that, he’s quite a player.”

Eustachy also warns fans not to judge Horton based on his solid 225-pound frame.

“He’s more athletic than he looks,” Eustachy said. “He’s stocky, and he almost looks like a running back, but he’s quicker and faster than people think. He’s also very skilled, so you throw all that together, and you have a very good Big 12 player.”

Horton made an auspicious Cyclone debut on Monday, scoring 15 points in ISU’s first official game of the season, including a trio of three-pointers and rebounds and a pair of assists.

So will Kantrail Horton rise above ISU’s recent legacy? Will he contribute more than the Jerry Currys and Rodney Hamptons out there?

He’s certainly taken the first steps toward proving as much.

“I’m mentally stronger than those guys,” Horton said. “That’ll help me down the line, because I’ve faced obstacles and been in tough situations, and I’ve overcome it all.”