Trail Blazers Name Tiago Splitter Interim Head Coach

Portland Trail Blazers assistant Tiago Splitter will assume head coaching position in the interim in place of Chauncey Billups, sources tell ESPN. Nate Bjorkgren was strongly considered by Portland but decided it was best for the franchise for him to maintain his current role.

Splitter played 7 seasons in the NBA between 2010 and 2017 after a decade-long international career, serving with the San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, and Philadelphia 76ers. He was named to Billups’ staff just this summer. He has also served as a scout with the Brooklyn Nets and an assistant with the Houston Rockets.

Bjorkgren has spent 8 seasons as an NBA assistant with the Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, and most recently for two years with the Blazers. He filled the head coaching position with the Indiana Pacers in 2020-21, accumulating a 34-38 overall record.