Breakers land world champion in coaching coup

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The golden offseason for the New Zealand Breakers has continued after the franchise landed the biggest coaching punch heading into NBL27 after signing 2023 FIBA World Cup winning coach Gordon Herbert on a two-year deal.

Herbert officially signed with the Breakers after the deal was reportedly teetering on the edge due to logistics issues but New Zealand finally landed their man, who led Germany to the 2023 FIBA World Cup title in the Philippines, and replaces Petteri Koponen following his departure at the end of NBL26.

The signing of one of the best coaches in international basketball is the latest move in an impressive offseason for the Breakers after signing sharpshooter DJ Vasiljevic, Preston Le Gassick and two-time NBL championship forward Kouat Noi to play alongside Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Sam Mennenga.

Herbert, who is currently the Canadian national team coach also played for his country at the 1984 Olympic Games and 1986 World Championships, has also coached some of the biggest clubs in Europe, most recently leading Bayern Munich in Germany.

"I am incredibly excited to join the Breakers," Herbert said in a club media release.

"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.”

"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."

The 67-year-old has also spent time in the NBA as an assistant for the Toronto Raptors.

“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 owwner 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.”

The Breakers are looking to return to the playoffs after back-to-back seasons missing the postseason.

Herbert's signing leaves only the Adelaide 36ers and Melbourne United without coaches.