New Suns GM Blanks takes charge, cites experience

PHOENIX (AP) -Lance Blanks is back from Africa and on the job as new general manager of the Phoenix Suns, saying he will try to employ what he learned in a decade of front office jobs with the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Blanks was in Senegal as part of the Basketball Without Borders organization when Suns president Lon Babby chose him to oversee the team's player personnel operation. He started work in Phoenix this week and was introduced at a news conference on Wednesday.

Blanks said he's “incredibly honored” to take a top job with an already successful franchise and “try to take it to higher ground.”

That would be an NBA championship, something that has eluded the Suns throughout their history.