Milwaukee ? Terry Porter, a native of Milwaukee who played 17 seasons in the NBA, has been hired to coach the Bucks, according to a league source. The Bucks called a news conference for 4 p.m. today to introduce their new coach. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it would be Porter, who was an assistant with the Sacramento Kings last season.

“It’s great news,” Kings owner Joe Maloof said. “He deserves it. He works hard. Any time one of your assistant coaches has a chance to get a head-coaching job, it’s a great thing for both franchises. I wish him all the luck in the world, because he deserves it.”

Porter didn’t immediately return a phone message, and Bucks general manager Larry Harris, who hasn’t spoken publicly since the firing of George Karl July 20, wasn’t available.

Porter and Atlanta Hawks coach Terry Stotts were believed to be the front-runners in a search that included at least eight candidates. Stotts didn’t return a phone message Tuesday.

Porter, 40, met last month with Harris and returned over the weekend for a second interview with the team’s owner, Sen. Herb Kohl, and vice president of business operations John Steinmiller.

After standout careers at Milwaukee South Division High and at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Porter was hoping to be drafted by the Bucks in 1985, but they bypassed him and he was selected by Portland. After a stellar 10-year stint with the Trail Blazers in which he became the club’s career assists leader, Porter played with Minnesota, Miami and San Antonio, where he finished his playing career in 2002.