06/16/26 09:47:00
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06/16 09:45 CDT Chicago Bulls hire former NBA center Tiago Splitter as coach
Chicago Bulls hire former NBA center Tiago Splitter as coach
By JAY COHEN
AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO (AP) --- The Chicago Bulls have hired Tiago Splitter as coach after the
former NBA center served as the interim coach for the Portland Trail Blazers
this season.
The Bulls, who announced the move on Tuesday, scheduled an introductory news
conference for Splitter on Wednesday.
"Throughout our process, Tiago stood apart for his basketball intellect, his
ability to connect with and develop players, and the way his teams compete
every single night," Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations
Bryson Graham said in a news release. "He has won at every level of the game as
both a player and a coach, on multiple continents, and we believe his vision is
the right fit for our young roster."
Splitter, 41, joined Chauncey Billups' staff in Portland last June. He was
elevated from assistant to interim coach when Billups was arrested in October
in a federal takedown of a sprawling gambling operation. Billups has pleaded
not guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering.
Splitter coached Portland to a 42-40 record and a five-game loss to San Antonio
in the first round of the playoffs. It was the first playoff appearance and
first time the Trail Blazers finished with a winning record since the 2020-21
season.
Splitter played for San Antonio, Atlanta and Philadelphia during his seven
seasons as an NBA player. The 6-foot-11 center from Brazil was selected by the
Spurs in the first round of the 2007 draft, and he helped the team win an NBA
title in 2014.
He worked for Brooklyn for five seasons from 2018-23, first as a pro scout and
then as an assistant coach. He was an assistant for Houston for one year before
coaching Paris Basketball Club to a French Cup championship during the 2024-25
season.
Splitter is replacing Billy Donovan, who resigned after six seasons. The Bulls
had conversations with Donovan about returning, but he decided to step aside
rather than work with a new front office.
"The Bulls represent everything I love about this game, carrying a proud
tradition, a passionate city and a young, hungry group of players ready to
grow," Splitter said in the news release. "I'm grateful for the trust this
organization has placed in me."
Chicago allowed 121.5 points per game this season, ranking 28th overall in the
NBA. The Bulls finished with a 31-51 record while missing the playoffs for the
fourth straight year.
Graham was hired on May 4. Stephen Mervis and Acie Law IV joined the team's
revamped front office on May 19.
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