Finn Petteri Koponen will take over the coaching reins of NZ Breakers, after the departure of incumbent Mody Maor to Japan.
Maor stepped down last month, after five years at the club and two years in charge, leading the team from their worst-ever record in 2022 to the Australian NBL final series the following season.
Koponen, 36, arrives in Auckland with a fine pedigree as a player and a growing reputation as a coach, where he is currently serving with the San Antonio Spurs NBA Summer League team.
"The head coaching position at the Breakers is one of the most sought-after jobs in basketball, outside of the NBA, and we had amazing interest shown in the role over the last month," said owner Matt Walsh.
"My goal was to find the best coach to lead the Breakers and I am very confident we have found the right person for the job."
As a player, Koponen was a shooting specialist, who twice achieved rare Euroleague 90-50-40 seasons, connecting on 90 percent from the free-throw line, 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from the three-point arc.
He played six seasons in the Euroleague with Spanish powerhouse Barcelona and German champions Bayern Munich. Koponen was seven-time Finnish Player of the Year and led the 2014 FIBA World Cup in assists.
His coaching pedigree is less refined, but he has guided his team to the Euroleague Next Generation tournament finals in 2022.
"Petteri was an incredible player, who has seamlessly transitioned to coaching and shares my vision of growing the game of basketball in New Zealand," said Walsh.
Koponen will arrive in Auckland later this month, after his Spurs commitments are fulfilled.
