Canada Basketball is finalizing a deal to name Gordon Herbert as the new head coach of the men’s national team through the 2028 Olympics, according to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange.
Herbert, who led Germany to the 2023 FIBA World Cup title, will take over from Jordi Fernández, who stepped down after helping Canada qualify for the Olympics for the first time in 24 years.
The 65-year-old Canadian brings extensive international experience, including his current role as head coach of Bayern Munich in the EuroLeague.
In addition to the World Cup gold, Herbert coached Germany to a bronze medal at EuroBasket 2022 and a fourth-place finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
His appointment aligns with Canada Basketball’s stated goal of hiring a proven winner on the global stage.
General manager Rowan Barrett previously emphasized the importance of a coach with a track record of medaling in major international tournaments.
Herbert also has history with Canada’s program, having served on the coaching staff during World Cup qualifying before Nick Nurse’s tenure began in 2019.
He represented Canada as a player in the 1984 Olympics and will now aim to lead the country to its first men’s basketball medal since 1936.
Canada’s recent resurgence, highlighted by a bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, has positioned them as a legitimate international contender.
Led by NBA talent such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, Dillon Brooks, and RJ Barrett, the national team is entering a critical four-year window.
Canada’s early exit in the 2024 Paris Olympics reinforced the need for elite coaching to maximize the team’s potential.
Herbert’s reputation for structure and defensive intensity could provide the stability Canada needs ahead of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
