Breakers unveil World Cup winner as new coach

The New Zealand Breakers announced on Wednesday the landmark appointment of FIBA World Cup winner Gordon Herbert as the club’s new Head Coach.

Herbert, who joins on a two-year deal, will lead the franchise into its next chapter following a historic stint with the German national team, while continuing with his Head Coaching role with the Canadian national team.

"I am incredibly excited to join the Breakers," Herbert said.

"This is a club with a prestigious history and a clear ambition for the future.

“We want to play a fast-paced style of basketball that delivers winning results.”

Herbert takes the reins of a roster that features Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Sam Mennenga, Dejan Vasiljevic, Reuben Te Rangi, Carlin Davison, Izayah Le’Afa and Preston Le Gassick.

"Gordon is a world-class strategist with a proven track record of winning at the highest possible level," Breakers President of Basketball Operations Dillon Boucher said.

"His international pedigree and ability to manage elite talent perfectly align with our vision to compete at the highest level in the NBL and represent New Zealand on the world stage."

Before taking over the Canadian men's national team, Herbert has spent time in Germany, with both the national team (winning the 2023 FIBA World Cup gold medal) and clubs such as Bayern Munich, Skyliners Frankfurt, Alba Berlin and s.Oliver Würzburg.

The 67-year-old has also plied his trade in the NBA (as an assistant coach with Toronto), France (Paris Basket Racing and Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez), Finland (Korihait and Espoon Honka), Austria (Oberwart Gunners), Greece (Aris) and Russia (Avtodor).

“The Breakers are putting in place the key pieces of our championship puzzle, and Gordon has proven he can deliver championship winning, high-performance teams,” Breakers Club Chairman and Owner Marc Mitchell said.

“When the Club started this process, we committed to searching the globe to find one of the world’s best to lead the Breakers.

“We are thrilled to get someone of Gordie’s calibre to join us in New Zealand and lead us on the court.”

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