Basketball: World Cup-winning coach wants to cancel Chiba Jets deal

FUNABASHI, Chiba (Kyodo) — Gordon Herbert, who steered Germany to last year’s Basketball World Cup championship, has asked the Chiba Jets to terminate the contract he signed to become their next head coach, the Japanese top-flight club said Wednesday.

In a statement, the Jets said they deeply regret Herbert’s sudden and unilateral request, and that they are trying to contact the coach, who did not provide a detailed explanation for his change of mind.

Herbert is scheduled to leave his post as Germany’s head coach after the Paris Olympics, where Germany and Japan will meet in their Group B opener on July 27.

Japan’s B-League first division will start its 2024-2025 season on Oct. 3.