NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks have hired Jeff Hornacek, who emerged last month as Phil Jackson’s surprising coaching choice.

Jackson went with the former Phoenix Suns coach over anyone who had played or worked under him, even though he had said after the season he would likely pick somebody he already knew. The Knicks finished last year at 32-50 under interim coach Kurt Rambis.

Jackson said in a statement Thursday that Hornacek has “tremendous basketball acumen and possesses strong leadership skills.”

The two discussed the job in mid-May but took more than two weeks to complete a contract. The Knicks plan to introduce Hornacek, the 28th coach in franchise history, at a news conference Friday.