Gordon Herbert is dealing with another health concern and won’t travel with the New Zealand Breakers to Cairns.
Meanwhile, an NBL import has departed his team for ‘personal reasons’, but his recent social media comments suggest there could be more to the story.
All of this and more in the latest edition of NBL Daily.
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BREAKERS COACH STAYS HOME WITH HEALTH CONCERNS
The New Zealand Breakers will be without head coach Gordon Herbert when they face the Cairns Taipans.
Herbert has been unwell and has been advised not to travel, with the Breakers confirming the news in a statement on X.
“Herbert is already on the improve and was keen to make the trip but was advised not to travel and recover at home for a couple of days,” the Breakers wrote.
“He will be in constant contact with the team and coaches this weekend and will be back at the helm when the team returns from Cairns to prepare for the October 30 game against Adelaide at Spark Arena.”
Gordon Herbert will miss the Breakers’ clash against Cairns due to illness.Source: Getty Images
Herbert has had his fair share of health battles throughout his coaching career, with one of his most serious coming back in 2025.
Whilst coaching Bayern Munich, Herbert contracted COVID-19 and later developed myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle.
Herbert spoke about the ordeal earlier this year, revealing that doctors had identified an irregular heartbeat, which prompted them to stop him from coaching.
Following his diagnosis, he was bedridden for two and a half weeks, revealing that he was sleeping between 16 and 17 hours a day.
He returned to his coaching role with Bayern just three weeks later, but later admitted he had put his coaching job ahead of his health at the time.
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Whilst there has been no indication that his latest illness is connected to that previous health scare, it’s positive to hear that Herbert is already improving and will remain in contact with the team throughout the weekend.
The Breakers have also received a boost with the return of superstar point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright.
His return comes at an important time for New Zealand, who currently sit seventh on the NBL ladder with a 4-5 record.
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WILDCATS REPLACEMENT IMPORTS STRANGE DEPARTURE?
Perth Wildcats injury replacement import Jimmy Whitt has departed Australia following his breakout performance against the Sydney Kings.
The Wildcats originally announced his departure was due to ‘personal reasons’, but Whitt has since taken to social media to discuss the situation, with his comments suggesting there could be more to the story.
A user commented on one of Whitt’s TikTok posts, questioning what had happened, with the American responding.
“In the hoops business it just so happens that if you play well you’re able to get to other opportunities that’s all lol,” Whitt wrote.
He also responded to another comment, saying: “Haha I played well and got other opportunities that’s all.”
Jimmy Whitt has departed the Perth Wildcats following his breakout performance against Sydney.Source: Getty Images
The comments seem to suggest Whitt’s departure could be more about another opportunity rather than the personal reasons originally announced by the Wildcats.
Whitt was coming off his best performance for Perth, finishing with 15 points, three rebounds and one assist in 24 minutes against the Sydney Kings.
The American had been brought in as an injury replacement for Kristian Doolittle, who returned to the court for Perth’s clash against Melbourne United on Saturday evening at RAC Arena.
The Wildcats have used injury replacement imports in recent seasons, with Todd Withers previously filling that role.
Fox Sports Australia reached out to the Perth Wildcats for comment, but the club has declined to comment on the situation.
More to come.