Tiago Splitter Takes Over Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls have reached an agreement with former Portland Trail Blazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter, ESPN reports. The 41-year-old Brazilian will take over from Billy Donovan at the helm of the Bulls. Splitter led the Blazers to a 42-40 record and a playoff berth for the first time since the 2020-21 season, despite previous issues with former coach Chauncey Billups.

Splitter became the first Trail Blazers head coach to achieve a winning record in his inaugural season since Maurice Cheeks in 2001-02, and the first to win a playoff game in his debut campaign since Mike Dunleavy in 1997-98.

According to ESPN sources, the Bulls' management, including Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham and his staff, met with four candidates for the head coaching position in Chicago: Tiago Splitter, Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Atlanta Hawks assistant Ryan Schmidt, and current Bulls assistant Wes Unseld Jr.

The Bulls ultimately opted for Splitter due to his proven ability to develop players, his organizational skills, and his leadership qualities as a coach with prior NBA playing experience, including an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014.

The Brazilian was selected 28th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft and subsequently played for San Antonio, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Philadelphia 76ers. After retiring as a player, he joined the Brooklyn Nets as a scout and a member of their player development staff in 2018.

During the 2023-24 season, he served as an assistant to Ime Udoka with the Houston Rockets, before taking on the head coaching role for Paris in the EuroLeague for the 2024-25 season. He then returned to the NBA as Chauncey Billups' lead assistant in Portland.