Flailing Suns name Hunter interim coach

The Phoenix Suns turned to a man with 17 seasons of experience as an NBA player — but none as a coach — to take over a team that has the worst record in the Western Conference.

Lindsey Hunter, the Suns’ director of player development, was picked to be interim coach Sunday, two days after the team and Alvin Gentry parted ways by mutual agreement. The Suns are 13-28.

‘‘The simple answer is that the organization needed a jolt,’’ general manager Lance Blanks said. ‘‘We needed something that would shock the system . . . and risk trumps safety in this business. We felt this was the right person to take the risk on.’’

Blanks said Hunter, 40, will be the coach for the remaining 41 games. After that, he said, ‘‘We’ll open things back up and select the best candidate, which may or may not be Lindsey.’’

Hunter played in 937 games with five teams. He won NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2002 and the Detroit Pistons in 2004.

‘‘I’m a little overwhelmed right now,’’ Hunter said after leading his first practice. ‘‘I’m tired, but today was fun. It was a good day . . . and I think the guys enjoyed it.’’ Christian Thomas 12 points and 13 rebounds to lead Loyola (11-7) to a 66-63 overtime victory against host Chicago State (6-15). The result snapped the Ramblers’ four-game losing streak.

Jeremy Robinson led four players in double figures for the Cougars with 16 points.