06/15/26 12:16:00
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06/15 12:14 CDT Bulls finalizing hire of Tiago Splitter as coach, AP source says
Bulls finalizing hire of Tiago Splitter as coach, AP source says
By JAY COHEN
AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO (AP) --- The Chicago Bulls are finalizing a deal to hire Portland Trail
Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter as their next head coach, a person
familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Monday.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team did not
announce the deal, which was first reported by ESPN.
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 would replace 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.
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.
Bryson Graham was hired as Chicago's executive vice president of basketball
operations on May 4. Stephen Mervis and Acie Law IV joined the team's revamped
front office on May 19.
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