The Unexpected Rise of Tiago Splitter: From Player to Coach

Tiago Splitter is now the interim head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. This happened after Chauncey Billups was arrested in an FBI gambling investigation. Splitter was born in Brazil and had a long career as a basketball player. He started playing professionally in 1999 and later moved to Europe. He played in Spain and won many awards. In 2010, he became the Spanish League MVP. The San Antonio Spurs drafted him in 2007, but he joined the team in 2010. He played for the Spurs for seven seasons and won an NBA championship in 2014. This made him the first Brazilian-born player to win an NBA title. Splitter's family life has been both happy and sad. His sister Michelle died of leukemia in 2009. He has been married twice and has children from both marriages. His current wife, Fernanda, is into fitness and interior design. They keep their family life private. Splitter is both Brazilian and Spanish. He was born in Brazil but became a Spanish citizen in 2004. His family has Christian and Jewish roots. He speaks Portuguese, Spanish, and English. This helps him communicate with players from different backgrounds. During his NBA career, Splitter earned a lot of money. His first contract with the Spurs was worth $11 million. He played for the Hawks and the 76ers before retiring in 2018 due to hip injuries. As a coach, he earns less than he did as a player. But his salary as an interim head coach is higher than that of an assistant coach. Splitter's coaching journey started in 2018 with the Brooklyn Nets. He worked as a pro scout and then a player development coach. In 2023, he joined the Houston Rockets as an assistant coach. He also coached Paris Basketball and won the French league championship in 2025. Splitter joined the Trail Blazers as an assistant coach this summer. He was chosen as the interim head coach after Billups' arrest. His experience in Europe and his championship background make him a good fit for the job. He now faces the challenge of leading a young team through a tough time.