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Florida State hires Kings' Loucks as head coach

Rocky Widner / National Basketball Association / Getty

Florida State hired Sacramento Kings assistant Luke Loucks as its next head coach, the school's vice president and athletic director, Michael Alford, announced Sunday.

Loucks agreed to a five-year deal with his alma mater, sources told CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein.

The 34-year-old will replace longtime head coach Leonard Hamilton, who's stepping down following 23 seasons with the program.

"Luke will bring a unique combination of qualities to our program, and I'm excited to begin the next chapter of our basketball history under his leadership," Alford said in a statement. "Throughout basketball at both the professional and collegiate levels, Luke has earned a reputation as one of the rising stars in coaching.

"Having been a key part of some of the best of what FSU basketball has been as a player, he also brings proven ability to develop players at the highest level of the sport."

Loucks spent the past three seasons as an assistant with the Kings. He also had a five-year stint with the Golden State Warriors working various roles.

Loucks played at Florida State from 2008-2012. He then played four seasons professionally with stops in Latvia, Cyprus, Belgium, and Germany in addition to the G League.

"I am incredibly honored and excited for the opportunity to become the head coach for the Florida State men's basketball team," Loucks said in a statement. "FSU has a rich basketball tradition, and I look forward to building on the legacy of our previous coaches, especially Coach Hamilton.

"I'd like to thank the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors for providing me with a strong coaching foundation. I'm eager to build our coaching staff with the best and brightest basketball coaches in America."

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