July 12, 2008

The Toronto Raptors announced Saturday they have hired Gord Herbert as an assistant coach/player development. Herbert, a former Canadian National Team player, has extensive coaching experience in Europe.

Herbert began his professional coaching career in 1994 and led three of his teams to a spot in Euroleague play. He coached last season in Greece, guiding Aris to a third-place finish in league play and a berth in the Top 16 in Euroleague competition. Prior to working for Aris, he coached three seasons in France, with well-known French teams Paris Basket Racing (2004-06) and Pau Orthez (2006-07). He guided Pau Othez to the French Cup championship and a Top 16 finish in Euroleague action.

Hebert’s first head coaching experience came in Finland. He coached U.U. Korihait from 1994-96 and Honka from 1996-99. Herbert coached in Austria in 1999-2000 and then moved to Germany for five seasons. He led Wurzburg for one campaign (2000-01) before coaching the Opel Skyliners from 2001-04. He captured the German Cup Vice Championship in the 2001-02 and 2003-04 seasons.

Herbert’s coaching experience also extends into international competition. He coached the Finnish Junior National Team from 1995-97, the Georgian National Team from 2005-07 and was an assistant to Jay Triano with the Canadian National Team at the 2002 World Championships.

Herbert was a player on the Canadian Junior Team in 1979-80 and for the country’s National Team from 1982-87. He teamed with Triano to win gold at the 1983 World Student Games. A first-team Big Sky Conference selection at the University of Idaho in 1982, Herbert played professionally in Finland and Belgium from 1982-84.