Brazilian-born Tiago Splitter named interim coach of Trail Blazers

Tiago Splitter was named interim coach of the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday after the arrest of Chauncey Billups.

Splitter, 40, will make his debut in the role on Friday night when the Trail Blazers host the Golden State Warriors.

Billups was arrested Thursday morning as part of a federal investigation into illegal betting activities.

"We are aware of the allegations involving head coach Chauncey Billups, and the Trail Blazers are fully cooperating with the investigation," the team said in a statement. "Billups has been placed on immediate leave, and Tiago Splitter will assume head coaching duties in the interim."

Splitter is the first Brazilian-born head coach in NBA history. This is his first season with the Trail Blazers.

He previously had NBA assistant coaching stints with the Brooklyn Nets (2019-23) and Houston Rockets (2023-24). Splitter served as the head coach of Paris Basketball last season.

Splitter played seven seasons in the NBA from 2010-17 and averaged 7.9 points and 5.0 in 355 games (153 starts).

Splitter spent his first five NBA seasons with the San Antonio Spurs and was part of their 2013-14 NBA championship team. He established career highs of 10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds during the 2012-13 campaign.

Splitter played one season apiece with the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers. He also played for Brazil in the 2012 Olympics.

Brazilian Leandro Barbosa, a former longtime NBA player, is an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings.

Portland led most of the way in its season opener on Wednesday before falling 118-114 to the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves. The setback left Billups with a 117-212 record in four seasons plus one game as the Trail Blazers' coach.

The Trail Blazers reportedly canceled their scheduled Thursday media availability session.

--Field Level Media