Basketball: Another World Cup winner joins Breakers

In a matter of weeks the New Zealand Breakers have gone from a drawn out process to lock in a head coach to being inundated with world class coaching talent.

True to their word the club has gone global for more than just one role on the coaching staff for the upcoming season.

Elite international tactician Sebastian Gleim joins the NBL club as the lead assistant coach where he will reunite with new head coach Gordon Herbert who was appointed to a two-season contract in May.

Gleim and Herbert were working on the coaching staff when Germany won gold at the 2023 Basketball World Cup. They also worked together at club level in Frankfurt.

This is not Gleim’s first time in New Zealand, he was head coach of the Franklin Bulls in the New Zealand NBL for the 2024 and 2025 seasons before he returned to Europe to become the managing director of basketball operations for his former club, the Frankfurt Skyliners, in the German Bundesliga.

“My time in the NZNBL highlighted the passion, grit, and talent that exists within Kiwi basketball, so when the opportunity arose with the BNZ Breakers, it felt like a big privilege for me,” Gleim said.

The German said to be working again with Herbert was “fantastic”.

“We have achieved a lot together and share a belief in establishing a winning culture.”

Breakers president of basketball operations Dillon Boucher said Gleim was a strong addition to the coaching staff that includes the recently announced assistant Quinn Clinton and the retained Matt Lacey.

“Sebastian knows exactly what it takes to win at the highest level of global basketball, and crucially, he already has an intimate understanding of the New Zealand basketball landscape,” Boucher said.

“The innate chemistry and mutual tactical trust that already exists between Gordon Herbert and Sebastian is an invaluable asset.”

With Gleim’s arrival assistant coach Mario Dugandzic leaves the Breakers to join the German Basketball Federation in a new coaching role.

Last season highlighted the changes in the front office and for NBL27 the Breakers are making changes on the court.

The Breakers have one more local player to sign to the roster which already has Sam Mennenga, import Parker Jackson-Cartwright, DJ Vasiljevic, Kouat Noi. Carlin Davison, Izayah Le’Afa, Reuben Te Rangi and Preston Le Gassick.

The season tips off in September with the Breakers’ first game against the Illawarra Hawks on 20 September.

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