The New York Knicks has hired former Phoenix Suns' bench boss Jeff Hornacek to be the club's newest head coach, the team president Phil Jackson announced on Thursday.

"Jeff has a tremendous basketball acumen and possesses strong leadership skills," Jackson said in a statement. "During his career as both a player and coach, he has demonstrated the ability to elevate the game."

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Hornacek becomes the 28th coach of the Knicks in the New York team's 70 years in the league. Hornacek is the second coach that Jackson has hired since taking over as president of the Knicks late in the 2013-14 season.

"I am extremely excited and honored to be the next coach of such a historic franchise," Hornacek said. "I look forward to working with Phil - a coach and teacher of the game I have admired for many years - and collaborating with him and our staff to take this team to the level that Knicks fans expect."

Hornacek, a 1992 NBA All-Star player, won his first coaching award in 2013 after he was named NBA Coach of the Month in December.

Hornacek has a coaching record of 101-112 in his three seasons with the Suns. With his move with the Knicks, he will inherit a team that has won 49 games in the past two seasons combined.

According to ESPN, Hornacek, 53, agreed to a three-year, $15 million deal.  A fourth-year option was not included in Hornacek's deal, sources say.

Jackson and the Knicks intend to build a competitive squad around veteran Carmelo Anthony and rookie Kristaps Porzingis. The club does not have a first-round draft picks right this year. However, the Knicks are said to have an estimated US$19 million at least to spend on acquiring new players.

Tagsjeff hornacek, new york knicks, Phil Jackson, NBA 2016, phoeni suns