A Penticton Secondary School graduate will lead Canada's men's basketball team starting in the summer of 2026.
Gordie Herbert has been named the next head coach for the national program, Canada Basketball announced on May 1.
The 66-year-old was born in the South Okanagan community and played basketball as a Pen-Hi Laker from 1976 to 1977. He most recently served as the head coach for EuroLeague club Bayern Munich.
“I’m incredibly honoured and excited for the opportunity to coach my home country,” said Herbert. “Canada Basketball has made tremendous progress in recent years, and the depth of talent in the program is as good as anywhere in the world."
The 66-year-old, who also holds Finnish citizenship, went on to play college basketball at North Idaho after his high-school career ended in Penticton.
Herbert also previously coached the German men's basketball team, where he guided the nation to a World Cup gold medal in 2023. His more than three-decade coaching career also included stops across Europe's top professional leagues in France, Finland, and Greece and as an assistant with the Toronto Raptors.
The British Columbian will be tasked with leading Canada into the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, the same city he wore the red and white as a player at the Summer Games in 1984.
Rowan Barrett, general manager and executive vice-president of Canada basketball's senior men’s program, said he's "proud" to welcome Herbert into the fold.
“His championship pedigree, command of the FIBA game, and understanding of what it takes to compete for medals on the world stage make him the ideal leader for this next chapter of Canada Basketball," he added.
The Canadian men's team, currently ranked No. 6 in the International Basketball Federation ranking, went 3-1 at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris before falling in the quarterfinals.
"I look forward to building on the strong culture that’s been established and working with our athletes to continue pushing Canada to new heights," Herbert said.
Canada Basketball says Herbert will assume the role of head coach in just over 13 months' time. Details of his full coaching staff will be released at a later date, it added.
