This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Jazz are expected to soon hire Mike Sanders as a player development coach, The Salt Lake Tribune has learned.
Sanders, 51, spent 11 seasons in the NBA as a small forward with San Antonio, Phoenix, Cleveland and Indiana.
The UCLA product served as an assistant coach with Detroit, Milwaukee and Charlotte. Sanders also coached in the NBA Development League, CBA and IBA.
Sanders is expected to guide the development of young big men Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors, as well as Gordon Hayward and Alec Burks.
Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor and coach Tyrone Corbin hinted at the upcoming hire Wednesday, acknowledging they wanted to add a coach by the start of training camp Friday.
Sanders played on a 1987-88 Phoenix team that featured Utah assistant Jeff Hornaceck and Corbin. Sanders was traded by the Suns midseason to Cleveland in exchange for All-Star Kevin Johnson and Corbin, among others.
Brian T. Smith
Twitter: @tribjazz
facebook.com/tribjazz