The Portland Path Blazers have named an interim substitute for head coach Chauncey Billups, who has been positioned underneath arrest for unlawful playing actions.
The Portland Path Blazers are betting on Tiago Splitter to guide them ahead amidst the unconventional departure of head coach Chauncey Billups.
Per Shams Charania of ESPN, the Blazers will title Splitter because the interim head coach, changing Billups, who has been positioned on go away amidst his arrest for involvement in unlawful playing actions. Splitter has been with the group since June, after beforehand serving as an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets (2019-23) and Houston Rockets (2023-24).
The NBA introduced Billups’ go away, together with that of Miami Warmth guard Terry Rozier, who was likewise positioned underneath arrest after being accused of manipulating recreation and prop bets.
“We’re within the means of reviewing the federal indictments introduced at present,” the league stated in its assertion, per Charania. “Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups are being positioned on quick go away from their groups, and we are going to proceed to cooperate with the related authorities. We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our recreation stays our high precedence.”
Splitter, 40, is maybe best-known for his taking part in tenure with the San Antonio Spurs, the place he turned the primary Brazilian-born participant to earn an NBA championship ring after besting the Warmth within the 2014 Finals. Having earned a number of different particular person accolades for his play in Spain, Splitter was one in all a number of worldwide gems the Spurs found throughout their new-century heyday, coming to San Antonio as a first-round decide within the 2007 draft earlier than making his NBA debut three years later.
Portland Path Blazers assistant Tiago Splitter will assume the pinnacle teaching place within the interim rather than Chauncey Billups, sources inform ESPN. Nate Bjorkgren was strongly thought of by Portland, however determined it was greatest for the franchise for him to keep up his present function. pic.twitter.com/bUIzHK9XED
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 23, 2025
What’s Subsequent for Portland?
Splitter averaged 7.9 factors and 5.0 rebounds in his NBA profession, which additionally visited Atlanta and Philadelphia. Previous to his Portland entry, he served as the pinnacle coach of Paris Basketball, guiding the French membership to an LNB Elite title in June. Splitter has additionally served as an assistant on his native Brazil’s males’s nationwide group, which positioned seventh on the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Splitter now takes over a Portland group reeling from the departure of Billups, who was taken into FBI custody mere hours after the Blazers dropped their season-opening recreation to Minnesota at dwelling. Per Charania’s report, Billups is accused of manipulating Mafia-backed poker video games, which have been stated to have price gamers seven figures in losses.
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— Path Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) October 23, 2025
The 2004 NBA Finals MVP and up to date Naismith Memorial Corridor of Fame inductee was labeled a “face card” by U.S. Legal professional for the Japanese District of New York Joseph Nocella Jr., a well-liked face meant to attract in unsuspecting gamers who would subsequently fall into debt to the mob.
Portland (0-1) hosts his first head teaching spot, which produced a 117-211 document over his first 4 excursions. Billups earned a contract extension with a 36-46 document final season, which was Portland’s greatest in a full 82-game season since 2018-19.
The Blazers’ first exhibiting underneath Splitter lands on Friday evening once they host the Golden State Warriors at Moda Heart (7 p.m. PT, Rip Metropolis TV Community).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
