One thing is for sure, I always knew that Gordon Herbert was an excellent coach. I mean I covered his Frankfurt Skyliners teams for more than a decade so I must know. I didn´t know in 2004 when he helped the Opel Skyliners win their first BBL title, but years later when he came back and continued to form winning Skyliner teams and help young Germans develop further, I knew that he was something special. That he became World champion coach in 2023 with Germany was no surprise to me. Herbert is a very special coach who simply knows how to develop team chemistry, let each player have a real special role and use it and most important helps players with the mental side. His players have come to appreciate his coaching ways the last 20 years. It is no surprise, that his name has often been mentioned in my interviews with his former players. Some of his former players remarks about him were so powerful that I used their words in my titles. I looked back in my article archive and found 6 players where I had Gordon Herbert in the title with guys like Mario Kasun, Justin Cobbs, Garai Zeeb, Jason Clark, Tyrone Ellis and Richard Williams. It wasn´t any different with his ex player Finish dinosaur Tuukka Kotti (205-PF-1981, college: Providence) who is 43 and still playing professionally in 2025. He played briefly for Herbert in 2009 before he returned to Frankfurt to take over for Murat Didin and lead the team to the 2010 final “I have always admired Gordie as a coach. He turned my career around in that half a season I was with him. He got me back to working hard and being focused on the right things. I will always be thankful for that. No surprise, that he has reached that level as coach”, stressed Tuukka Kotti. He has had such an amazing career that has spanned 20 years that if someone had told him in 2006, that he would still be playing, it would have been difficult to believe it. “Even in 2014 after the World Cup I thought I only had a couple more seasons left. 2006 it would have been hard to believe for sure. There is really no other job I would rather do so I have decided to play as long as I am able to compete at this level. I am really humbled and grateful that God has blessed me with such a long career. I have stayed healthy throughout most of my career. Hard work, enough sleep/rest, and balanced diet. It is a simple recipe”, said Tuukka Kotti.

Tuuka Kotti who names Troy Bell, Caron Butler, Chris Paul, Ben Gordon, and David Lee as his toughest opponents in the NCAA and in Europe Milos Teodosic and Keith Langford currently plays for Tapiolan Honka. He began his career with FoKopo and then played with the Salon Vilpas (Korisliiga) averaging 15.7ppg, 7.8rpg, 1.7apg in 2000. He is content that basketball has changed so much in the last 24 years. “The game was slower and tactically not as advanced as it is today. Coaching in Finland has developed a lot and it shows also in Korisliiga. In all areas I think. Biggest thing that stands out to me is the spacing of the game. Outside shooting has improved and teams are shooting more threes so it opens up the game more”, commented Tuukka Kotti. He went to the States in 2001 and played 4 years and 116 NCAA games for Providence College. He never averaged more than 10,0ppg in a season and as a senior played 31 games and averaged 9.9ppg, 5.8rpg, 3.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 41.5%, 3Pts: 30.3%. Back in those days, it was rare to see a Finish player play in the NCAA. “There were some players from Finland who had taken that route, for example Hanno Möttölä. Also playing in the US had for years been a dream of mine so it was an easy decision I did struggle my freshman year getting adjusted to the culture and the different style of play”, remembered Tuukka Kotti. There was a legend that he came to USA as a point guard and returned to Finland 4 years later as a center. Did he have extra Mcdonalds visits in those 4 years? Partly true, but the story has been exaggerated quite a bit over the years. I did play the different guard positions before college. Some PG as well. In college I was playing mostly in the wing and I developed in to a really good defensive player through those years. Defensively I was used in all positions but on offense I played more off ball than I was used to. I really moved closer to the basket when I turned pro and I had started to struggle with my outside shooting. That’s why teams wanted to play me first more at the 4 spot and eventually at the 5”, expressed Tuukka Kotti. He reached a NCAA tournament in 2004 and won´t forget it. “It was really fun! I had an opportunity to play against some really high level competition in the Big East. Also we practiced really hard which I enjoyed. And I got meet and build relationships with some people I cherish to this day. Were there things that I wish I would have worked on more or received more coaching with, absolutely. But overall, my college years were great. March madness was great, but it’s bitter sweet for me because we had an amazing season that year but got knocked out of the tournament in the first round”, added Tuukka Kotti.

The big man who lists Petri Virtanen, Shawn Huff, Chris Anrin, Maris Laksa, and David Gonzalvez as his best teammates of all-time had many incredible games in the NCAA including a 16/7/6 game in a win against Georgetown that had incredible guys like Rudy Gay, Charlie Villenueva, or Marcus Williams and in other games played against Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon. “That one was a big one. All the games against UConn were memorable. They had some amazing teams and we were usually able to get the best out of our team against them. One game that I always look back on was our game at Notre Dame at the end of my freshman year. I had not played a lot during that year, and having a big game there really gave me confidence going into my second season”, remembered Tuukka Kotti. He had amazing teammates who later came overseas with Marcus Douhit, John Linehan and Ryan Gomes, all guys he won´t ever forget. “Marcus was amazing. Great player and great personality. He was really a big key to our success covering the middle of our 2-3 zone. Had quite a few of my shots blocked by Marcus too in practice. John set the tone for sure. He was a senior when I came in and I was really influenced by his leadership and how hard he worked. I have never played with a better defender in my career. Ryan was the same class and it was such a privilege to see him develop and become a star. He was an amazing player and just like John, he put the work in. All the greats do”, warned Tuukka Kotti. He then returned to Europe and played his first 3 seasons in Italy with Ignis Castelletto Ticino (Italy-Lega 2) averaging 10/6 and 11/6 and Noi Sport Monte Terminillo Rieti (Italy-Serie A). “I fell in love with Italy right away. I have some great memories from there and would love to go back and visit soon. Basketball was really good. There were tons of talent in Serie A and LegaDue. Also, always loved the passion of the Italian basketball fans.”, said Tuukka Kotti, He reached the Serie A in his third season but only averaged 2,1ppg. It was tough breaking into the rotation with guys like Pape Sow and Wade Helliwell. “That was a difficult year for me. Playing behind those guys and Leroy Hurd, who had a monster season that year. I broke in the rotation and got big minutes after Pape Sow got sold to Poland. Unfortunately I broke my hand, pretty soon after and missed almost the rest of the season”, remembered Tuukka Kotti. The Serie A at that time was already showcasing amazing players and you could always have a wow effect with a player each weekend. “My team mate Morris Finley was amazing throughout the season. And also Gianmarco Pozzecco. I remember them beating us at our place and him coming to our locker room after the game shaking everyone’s hands. That took a lot of courage”, stressed Tuukka Kotti.

The Finish native who names Luka, MJ, Kobe, Lebron, and Jokic on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore then played a season with Etendard de Brest (France-ProB) averaging 10.0ppg, 6.9rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 57.4%. “Pro B was very different from Lega Due. More up and down and athletic. Personally I had a difficult season there and didn’t play as well as I was capable of”, said Tuukka Kotti. He then played 2 seasons with the Honka Espoo Playboys (Korisliiga) averaging 12/9 and 16/10 winning 2 cups. “That second year our team was really good! One of the best that I have played in. We had size, great outside shooting and defensively we were really tough. After winning the cup we lost Coach Herbert for health reasons and Corey Belser left for Ukraine. After that the team wasn’t the same”, added Tuukka Kotti. He was teammates with so many interesting guys like Jamar Wilson, Carl Lindbom, Sasu Salin, Juka Matinean, and Tuomas Iisalo. Did he already notice that winning coach in Iisalo as something that could happen? “We had some great players for sure. Tuomas has always had a very curious and analytical personality. Also a real passion for the game. But yes, absolutely it has been surprising how far he has reached in such a short period of time. Amazing story. I am really proud of him”, stressed Tuukka Kotti. He then returned back to Italy for 3 seasons and played with Naturhouse Ferrara (Italy-Lega 2) averaging 10.9ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.7spg, FGP: 54.1%, FT: 43.5% and with Aget Service Imola (Italy-Lega 2) averaging 9.6ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.4spg, FGP: 57.5%, FT: 46.4% and with Vanoli Cremona (Italy-Serie A) averaging 6.0ppg, 5.6rpg, FGP: 61.0%, FT: 48.9%. He finally got more of a chance in the Serie A and was teammates with special player Shawn Huff who also played under Gordon Herbert. “It was great to be back in Italy those years and in Cremona had an opportunity to play against some amazing competition. Shawn and I are really close and the Cremona year is only a small part of everything we have experienced together. He is an amazing player and a person”, warned Tuukka Kotti. He then returned back to Finland in 2012 and never left again except for a season in Germany. He played 3 seasons with the Nilan Bisons Loimaa (Finland-Korisliiga) putting up consistent stats as always and having a stellar Eurocup season. Did you become home sick? “Not really. There was a great opportunity to play Eurocup in Loimaa, which is right next to my hometown Forssa, and I felt like that was great situation for me. It’s really hard to describe these three years. I have so many great memories and I loved my time at Loimaa. At the same time we played the last two years in the VTB-league on top of Korisliiga, which totaled to about 70 regular season games plus playoffs. Needless to say those years were very demanding mentally and physically. The tough competition in Eurocup, VTB and also Korisliiga did help me to develop and I feel those years matured me as a player quite a bit”, commented Tuukka Kotti. It was never boring in the season that Jacob Burtschi was his teammate. “I love Jake! He made our taxing season so much lighter with his personality. We were constantly competing with him. Half court shots, playing cards on the road. It was real good times”, remembered Tuukka Kotti.

For the ex Finish national player who lists Jesus Christ and Michael Jordan as his GOAT then played a season with the Crailsheim Merlins (Germany-ProA) averaging 9.6ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 62.3%, FT: 70.8% and played for Tuomas Iisalo. One would have thought it was a no brainer to play there. “It wasn’t a no brainer at that point. I was actually on my way to Joensuun Kataja, but ended up eventually in Crailsheim. I would say Tuomas was still developing his identity as a coach at that point. While he was already a good coach, I could not have predicted him succeeding that fast. One thing I noticed and appreciate in Tuomas is that he really insists on the things he believes in. And he will always give you a reason why”, said Tuukka Kotti. He then played 5 seasons with the Helsinki Seagulls (Korisliiga) winning 3 cups. He had his best stat season in his first season and another good season followed. Had he reached his prime at age 36? “There is for sure some truth to that. I think I played some of my best basketball those years and also in Eurobasket 2017. I hope it can serve as an encouragement to other players, that one can still develop at a later stage of their career”, warned Tuukka Kotti. He played for the talented is Jussi Laakso as a coach. He didn´t follow in the foot steps of Iisalo in Crailsheim, but like him has a knack for finding guards off the radar like Trae Bell-Haynes and Kendale McCullum and helping them make the next step. “Jussi is a great coach and great leader. He did an amazing job recruiting and putting together some of those teams. Jussi is very humble and eager to learn more, and it’s been great to see how he builds winning cultures everywhere he goes”, warned Tuukka Kotti. He then played the last 2 years with Tapiolan Honka and won the league title last season and will play there a third season. It seemed like he continued to be reunited with Carl Lindbom. Will he end his career there? “It’s hard to make any promises at this point. It’s totally in God’s hands, but I would love to finish my career here. This is a great organization with some amazing people, and I’m grateful to be a part of it”, stated Tuukka Kotti. Not too forget, he has been a member of the Finish national team over the years. He has seen Finish basketball take on a massive development in this period. “It has been like night and day. When I started with the NT we had no clear direction and we were lacking confidence. In the last 20 years there has been a big culture change in our programs and also what’s changed is that we believe in ourselves. The coaching in Finland has developed a ton and both players and coaches are more valued now around the world. We have a bright future”, warned Tuukka Kotti. He played against USA at the 2014 World Cup and suffered a brutal 114-55 loss against USA where he had 6 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and a block. The Finish team was pretty talented then with guys like Murphy, Koivisto,Koponen, Salo, Huff and himself while Team USA had superstars like had Curry, Irving, Rose, Davis and Harden just to name a few. There was not one USA player that stood out for him most. “That was the most memorable game of my career! 10K Finnish fans in the arena and going against some NBA greats. It was a dream come true. Only a few years before that we were dreaming to play in the Eurobasket and all of a sudden we are here. I told the guys after the game in our locker room, that I have never before enjoyed getting my butt kicked. Not one player, but in general how fast they played, and the talent combined with speed and athleticism. It was really impressive”, remembered Tuukka Kotti who didn´t see the sequel to the classic Coming To America as the original can´t be topped. He has seen it all in the last 20 years and will always have enough stories to tell all.