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AP Source: Talks ongoing to hire Hornacek as coach

Sports

May 26th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns appear close to hiring former ISU basketball standout and player for the NBA Jeff Hornacek, as their head coach. A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press the Suns are in contract negotiations with Hornacek, although no deal has been finalized. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no public announcement had been made. The comments came after azcentralsports reported Sunday that Hornacek reached agreement on a three-year contract.

Hornacek, assistant coach for the Utah Jazz, played six seasons for the Suns and was part of the trade that sent Charles Barkley to the Suns from Philadelphia. Hornacek went on to have his best pro seasons as a sharpshooting guard alongside John Stockton in the Utah backcourt.

As a point guard for the Cyclones, Hornacek guided the team to the Sweet 16 in the 1986 NCAA Tournament. Hornacek left ISU with a Big-8 record of 665 career assists, still an Iowa State school record, and 1,313 career points. He was the fourth player in Cyclone basketball history to have his number retired when his No. 14 jersey was hung from the rafters of Hilton Coliseum in 1991.