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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) Chris Jent will coach the Bakersfield Jam, the Phoenix Suns' affiliate in the NBA Development League.

The Suns and Jam announced the move Thursday. Jent replaced Nate Bjorkgren, now the Suns' assistant coach/player development coordinator.

The 45-year-old Jent spent the 2013-14 season and the start of last season as an assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings. The former Ohio State swingman spent two seasons in the NBA with Houston and New York, helping the Rockets win the 1994 title.

Jent began his NBA coaching career as an assistant with Philadelphia in 2003-04 and spent the next season with Orlando, going 5-13 as interim head coach in the final 18 games. He was Cleveland's director of player development in 2006-09 and served as an assistant in 2009-11, then spent two years as an assistant coach at Ohio State.