Basketball veteran Gordon Herbert is set to become the next head coach of the New Zealand Breakers, sources told Fox Sports Australia, with the club poised to secure one of the most accomplished coaching figures in international basketball following an extensive search to replace Petteri Koponen.
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Herbert, 67, is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most accomplished coaches, building an impressive resumé across both club and international basketball. He has coached powerhouse European clubs, including Bayern Munich, but is best known for his success on the international stage.
The Canadian-Finnish dual citizen coached Germany men’s national basketball team from 2021 to 2024, leading the program to historic success, and is currently the head coach of Canada men’s national basketball team. Before moving into coaching, Herbert spent 12 years playing professionally in Finland.
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Since beginning his coaching career in 1994, Herbert has established himself as one of the most respected figures in world basketball, with decades of experience across Europe and international competition.
In 2023, Gordon Herbert guided Germany to their first-ever FIBA World Cup title, a landmark achievement that added to an already decorated coaching résumé spanning more than three decades.
Herbert’s career includes multiple domestic and international honours, highlighted by French Cup triumphs in 2007 and 2009, Bundesliga championships in 2004 and 2016, and individual recognition as Coach of the Year in Austria (2000), Finland (2023) and Germany (2016). He later added another German league title in 2025, further underlining his longevity and consistency at the top level.
His influence also stretches onto the international stage in a broader sense, having led Germany through a period of sustained success that reshaped the nation’s standing in world basketball.
That pedigree is well known to New Zealand Breakers assistant coach Mario Dugandzic, who previously worked alongside Herbert with the German national team.
For the Breakers, Herbert’s arrival would represent a significant statement as they look to reset after an underwhelming 2025-26 campaign, despite lifting the inaugural NBL Ignite Cup. With the club targeting a return to the top six, experience and leadership have become key priorities.
After parting ways with Petteri Koponen, the Breakers missed out on other coaching targets in Judd Flavell and Mody Maor, but their pursuit of a marquee appointment now appears to be nearing a breakthrough, with Herbert offering one of the strongest resumes available on the market.
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