5 Facts About Jeff Hornacek
Updated Friday, June 3 1:12 p.m.
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Jeff Hornacek has been named the 28th coach in New York Knicks history. Here's a look at the man, both on and off the court.
1. His upbringing
Hornacek was born on May 3, 1963, in the Chicago suburb of Elmhurst. His father was a high school basketball and baseball coach.
2. His playing career
After being drafted out of Iowa State by Phoenix in the second round in 1986, Hornacek played 14 seasons in the NBA for the Suns, Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz. The shooting guard averaged 14.5 points per game for his career and was selected to the All-Star Game in 1992. He was a member of the Jazz's NBA Finals teams in 1997 and '98.
3. His coaching career
Hornacek was a shooting coach and assistant coach for the Jazz from 2007-13. He then spent 2½ seasons as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns. During his first season, the Suns went 48-34 but missed the playoffs. Hornacek finished in second place in Coach of the Year balloting that year. The following season, Phoenix went 39-43. Hornacek was then fired this past February after the Suns started 14-35.
4. His triangle connection
When news broke that Hornacek was expected to become the Knicks' next coach, many wondered if there was any connection between him, Phil Jackson and the triangle offense. According to The New York Times, Hornacek played in the triangle offense under coach Cotton Fitzsimmons in Phoenix. Fitzsimmons served as an assistant coach at Kansas State to Tex Winter, the architect of the triangle offense and Jackson's mentor. Hornacek's own style of coaching, however, favors an up-tempo style that relies on the 3-pointer.
5. His family
Hornacek and his wife, Stacy, have three grown children -- Ryan (28), Tyler (25) and Abby (22). Abby Hornacek, a recent graduate of the University of Southern California, has done reporting work for Fox Sports San Diego and the NBA Summer League.