Phoenix Suns name Porter head coach

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Phoenix Suns have hired Terry Porter as their new head coach, the NBA team's general manager and president of basketball operations Steve Kerr said on Saturday.

Porter has worked as assistant coach at the Detroit Pistons the past two seasons. He was head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks from 2003-2005 and enjoyed a 17-year career as a player.

"We had an impressive list of candidates, but Terry stood out based on his leadership, his communication skills and his coaching experience," Kerr told reporters.

A formal press conference announcing the hire is scheduled for Monday or Tuesday.

Porter will replace Mike D'Antoni, who coached the Suns from 2003-2008 before leaving in May to accept the head coaching job for the New York Knicks.

(Reporting by Jahmal Corner; Editing by Ed Osmond)