Curry becomes Pistons' head coach

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 10 (UPI) -- Michael Curry, an assistant coach and former player for the Detroit Pistons, was introduced Tuesday as the NBA team's head coach.

Curry, 39, takes over from Flip Saunders, who was fired last week after the Pistons lost in the NBA Eastern Conference finals for the third consecutive season. Curry was an assistant under Saunders last season. Another Saunders assistant, Terry Porter, was made the head coach of the Phoenix Suns on Monday.

The Detroit News reported that Curry agreed to a three-year contract that includes a club option on a fourth season.

Curry played 11 seasons in the NBA, including two stints -- 1995-97 and 1999-2003 -- with the Pistons. He averaged 4.5 points and 1.6 rebounds a game over a 667-game career.