World-class coach targets world-class standards

This week has been a pivotal one for the New Zealand Breakers, as they relaunch themselves on and off the court.

On Tuesday, the club unveiled its new brand identity, creating a stronger connection with its fans and building a future that reflects the energy, pride and potential of basketball in Aotearoa.

That coincided with the team's first week of pre-season training, which has seen the likes of recruit Kouat Noi and Dejan Vasiljevic at Breakers HQ for the first time.

The other key figure on the ground for the first time is Head Coach Gordon Herbert, who has one of the best resumes in world basketball.

Herbert is also the current coach of the Canadian men's national team, and prior to that, 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).

With all that experience in his bag, Herbert has brought it to Auckland, where, all bar newly signed Charles Bediako, are in attendance during week one of training camp.

As such, the real fun now starts for Herbert, after a busy off-season assembling the squad.

"I wanted to come in with an open mind, not too much on the past, and start with everybody on the same line. An open book, so to speak, that's what I'm doing," Herbert said to RNZ.

"We have some great individuals; now we've got to create a team mentality first and foremost. To a certain extent it's like a puzzle and putting it together; sometimes the little pieces are tougher to fit into the puzzle than the big pieces."

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Heading into his maiden campaign in the NBL, which he's described as 'a really quality league and it's getting better and better each year', Herbert is excited to help the League continue to grow.

"I think Joe Ingles coming back really affects the League in a lot of different ways, and with Joe Ingles here, I think it made it a possibility for [Melbourne United] to get Cole Anthony, and I think the Joe Ingles effect is huge for the whole basketball League," he said.

The Breakers open their season against Illawarra on Sunday, September 20 at Spark Arena.

‍Read the full story here >> NZ Breakers look to put the right pieces together under new coach Gordon Herbert