Breakers add more World Cup pedigree to coaching ranks

The New Zealand Breakers have made another massive addition to their coaching staff for the upcoming Hungry Jack's NBL27 season, officially appointing Sebastian Gleim as their new Lead Assistant Coach.

Gleim will reunite with newly appointed Breakers Head Coach Gordon Herbert, who he worked alongside during Germany’s run to the 2023 FIBA World Cup gold medal.

Gleim, who also worked alongside Herbert in Frankfurt, most recently served as the Head Coach of the Franklin Bulls for the 2024 and 2025 seasons before returning to Europe to become the Managing Director of Basketball Operations for his former club, the Frankfurt Skyliners, in the German Bundesliga.

"I am incredibly excited to return to New Zealand and join the BNZ Breakers organisation,” Gleim said.

“My time in the NZNBL highlighted the passion, grit, and talent that exists within Kiwi basketball, so when the opportunity arose with the Breakers, it felt like a big privilege for me.

"To reunite with Gordon Herbert is fantastic. We have achieved a lot together and share a belief in establishing a winning culture.

“We have an immensely competitive roster for Hungry Jack’s NBL27, and I cannot wait to get to Auckland and help bring a championship back to the Breaker Nation."

The addition of Gleim, alongside recently announced assistant Quinn Clinton and the retained Matt Lacey, gives the Breakers a sophisticated and diverse coaching staff.

"Securing a coach of Sebastian's standing as our Lead Assistant is another big piece for our Club," Breakers Owner and Chairman Marc Mitchell said.

"We are building an elite, world-class coaching staff to lead our talented roster.”

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Echoing Mitchell’s sentiment was Breakers President of Basketball Operations Dillon Boucher.

“Sebastian knows exactly what it takes to win at the highest level of global basketball, and crucially, he already has an intimate understanding of the New Zealand basketball landscape,” Boucher said.

"The innate chemistry and mutual tactical trust that already exists between Gordon Herbert and Sebastian is an invaluable asset.

"They will lead our hunt for the NBL27 championship."

In other Breakers coaching news, NBL26 assistant coach Mario Dugandzic will embark on an exciting new appointment within the Deutscher Basketball Bund (German Basketball Federation).

"I am extremely grateful to have been part of the BNZ Breakers family over the past two seasons," Dugandzic said.

"I want to thank everyone for making this such a truly amazing experience. New Zealand is a remarkable and special place, but what I will remember most are the people and the relationships built along the way.

"I wish the club nothing but success moving forward. I will always look back on my time with the Breakers with immense gratitude and pride."

The Breakers currently have Jackson-Cartwright, Mennenga, Kouat Noi, Dejan Vasiljevic, Reuben Te Rangi, Carlin Davison, Izayah Le’Afa and Preston Le Gassick under contract for NBL27.