With only four returning scholarship players on the roster, Coach Darrin Horn needed somebody with winning experience in a Western uniform.

He found his man in Cypheus Bunton, but his uniform will stay in the closet.

Bunton was hired as an assistant coach Friday, replacing Archie Miller. Miller left after one season to take a job as assistant coach at his alma mater, North Carolina State University.

Also coming home is Bunton, who graduated from Western in 1995. Bunton and Horn were part of the Toppers’ 1993 team that made it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. In his two seasons in a Western uniform, Bunton won 73 percent of the time (46-17).

Horn said Bunton’s experience as a Western player will be good for the program.

“I am happy to have someone with Cypheus’ character and ability on the staff,” Horn said. “He has a real love for Western Kentucky basketball.”

Repeated attempts to contact Bunton were unsuccessful.

Bunton’s 53 dunks as a junior still stand as the Western single season record. In his senior season, Bunton averaged 10.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

After leaving the Hill, Bunton played nine years of professional basketball both in the United States and Europe. In 1996-97, he was named the most valuable player in the Swedish Basketball League.

In 2001-02, he played for the Fargo-Moorhead Beez of the Continental Basketball Association, averaging 4.4 points per game.

The following season, Bunton played in 14 games for the Roanoke Dazzle of the National Basketball Development League, averaging 4.9 points per contest.

Horn said he expects his players to respond well to Bunton after such a successful career.

“His professional experience will be tremendous when gaining the respect of the players,” he said.

Last season, Bunton was the head coach of the Louisville Legends AAU Under-17 team.

Reach Michael Casagrande at [email protected].