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'Perfect match': Why decorated coach Gordon Herbert signed on with Breakers
Stephen Foote • May 21st, 2026 9:26 am
Gordon Herbert | Photo: Supplied
The NZ Breakers' appointment of Gordon Herbert has raised plenty of eyebrows across the basketball sphere both in Australasia and beyond.
On Wednesday, the Auckland-based NBL side confirmed the acquisition of Herbert on a two-year deal to secure the most experienced and decorated head coach in the franchise's history, widely regarded as a coup for the four-time NBL champions.
The most sparkling achievement on his CV is leading Germany to a gold medal at the 2023 World Cup alongside Orlando Magic star Franz Wagner.
He's currently the head coach of the Canada national team, where he oversees the likes of reigning two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nuggets' All Star guard Jamal Murray. He's also spent time as an assistant with the NBA's Toronto Raptors.
The 67-year-old joins the Breakers from European heavyweights Bayern Munich, where he lifted the 2025 Bundesliga title.
Explaining the rationale behind his decision to head 'down under', Herbert admitted it was a case of all the jigsaw pieces falling perfectly into place.
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"First of all, I was really impressed with talking with (owner) Marc Mitchell and (president) Dillon Boucher about where they want to go, their vision. I was really impressed about this.
"Secondly, it really aligned with my job with Basketball Canada, coaching the national team.
"Third, I've always been intrigued about coaching down there and living down there. I love the idea of living there with the culture and the summer months. And more so, I just heard great things about the people of New Zealand."
Herbert said he declined offers from European clubs in favour of a role with the Breakers which was better suited to his schedule with the Canadian team.
"I had a lot of talks with Dillon and I had a lot of talks with Basketball Canada. For me, it was just about getting everything in line.
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"I had some offers in Europe, but they really didn't fit with Basketball Canada. For me it was about two situations and being 100 percent committed to each one with the time frame.
"If I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it 100 percent and be committed. I just felt with these two combined together, it was a perfect match."
Herbert comes as part of a changing of the guard of sorts for the Breakers, replacing Petteri Koponen after missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
Impressed by the NBL's standard of play, Herbert said it will be as educational for himself as it will be for his new players.
"I think the league is really up tempo, very well coached, really good basketball.
"I'm coming down there to learn also. I want to get better as a coach, and it's a great situation for me to learn and be around great coaches and this style of basketball."
Listen to the full interview below:
