The Unexpected Rise of Tiago Splitter: From Player to Coach

A New Role in Portland

Tiago Splitter is now the interim head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, following the arrest of Chauncey Billups in an FBI gambling investigation.

A Distinguished Playing Career

• Born in Brazil, Splitter had a long and successful career as a basketball player.
• Started professionally in 1999 and later moved to Europe.
• Played in Spain, winning numerous awards, including Spanish League MVP in 2010.
• Drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 2007, he joined the team in 2010.
• Won an NBA championship in 2014 with the Spurs, becoming the first Brazilian-born player to achieve this feat.

Family Life

• Lost his sister, Michelle, to leukemia in 2009.
• Married twice, with children from both marriages.
• Current wife, Fernanda, is into fitness and interior design.
• The family keeps their life private.

Dual Citizenship and Multilingual

• Brazilian and Spanish citizen (became Spanish in 2004).
• Family has Christian and Jewish roots.
• Speaks Portuguese, Spanish, and English, aiding communication with diverse players.

NBA Career and Earnings

• First contract with the Spurs: $11 million.
• Played for the Hawks and 76ers before retiring in 2018 due to hip injuries.
• Coaching salary: Less than playing days but higher than assistant coach pay.

Coaching Journey

• Started in 2018 with the Brooklyn Nets as a pro scout and player development coach.
• Joined the Houston Rockets in 2023 as an assistant coach.
• Coached Paris Basketball, winning the French league championship in 2025.
• Joined the Trail Blazers as an assistant coach this summer.
• Chosen as interim head coach after Billups' arrest.
• Experience in Europe and championship background make him a strong candidate.
• Faces the challenge of leading a young team through a tough period.