When the Portland Trail Blazers needed to make an emergency coaching change after Chauncey Billups’ arrest in an FBI gambling investigation, they turned to their first-year assistant coach Tiago Splitter to take over as interim head coach on October 23, 2025. The move thrust a Brazilian basketball figure into one of the NBA’s most turbulent moments, and now the basketball world is getting to know the man stepping up to lead the team through the chaos.

Who is Tiago Splitter?

Tiago Splitter is a Brazilian professional basketball coach and former player born on January 1, 1985, in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The 6-foot-11 former center enjoyed a successful playing career that spanned nearly two decades across multiple continents. He began his professional journey in 1999 before making his mark in European basketball.

Splitter achieved significant recognition during his time in Spain’s top league, earning three All-EuroLeague Team selections and winning the Spanish League MVP award in 2010. His accomplishments in Europe made him a sought-after prospect, leading to his NBA draft selection by the San Antonio Spurs in 2007.

He eventually joined the Spurs in 2010, beginning his seven-season NBA career.

The Brazilian big man made history by becoming the first Brazilian-born player to win an NBA championship when the Spurs captured the title in 2014. After retiring from playing in 2018 due to hip injuries, Splitter transitioned into coaching, working with several NBA organizations before landing with the Trail Blazers as an assistant coach this season.

Tiago Splitter Family – Parents, Wife & Children

Tiago Splitter is the son of Cassio and Elisabeth Splitter, who raised him in his native Brazil. He experienced family tragedy when his younger sister Michelle, also a basketball player, died of leukemia in 2009 at just 19 years old. This personal loss deeply affected Splitter during his playing career.

The former NBA champion has been married twice, first to Amaia Amescua in 2010. That marriage produced two children, son Benjamin, born in 2012 and daughter Sofia, before the couple divorced in 2016. Splitter then married Fernanda in 2017, with whom he has additional children.

Fernanda Splitter has built her identity beyond being a coach’s wife, pursuing fitness and interior design interests. She has shared her journey of post-pregnancy fitness transformation and is developing her own interior design business.

The couple maintains a relatively private family life while supporting each other’s professional endeavors.

What is Tiago Splitter’s Ethnicity and Nationality

Tiago Splitter holds dual nationality as both Brazilian and Spanish. He was born in Brazil and represents his home country in international competitions, but became a naturalized Spanish citizen in 2004 during his successful stint playing in Spain’s Liga ACB.

This dual citizenship provided him with additional opportunities during his European career.

Regarding religious background, Splitter was raised as a Christian, though his family heritage includes Jewish descent through his father’s lineage. This mixed religious background reflects the diverse cultural influences that have shaped his personal identity throughout his life and global basketball career.

His ethnic background as a Brazilian of European descent and his international experiences have given him a multicultural perspective that serves him well in today’s global NBA. Splitter is fluent in multiple languages, including Portuguese, Spanish, and English, which has facilitated his transition into coaching players from diverse backgrounds.

Tiago Splitter Career & Salary

During his NBA playing career, Splitter earned substantial compensation across his seven seasons. His initial contract with the San Antonio Spurs was worth $11 million over three years when he signed in 2010. This came after he delayed his NBA debut to continue playing in Spain, where he could earn significantly more than the NBA rookie scale allowed at the time.

His most lucrative playing years came with the Spurs, where he developed into a reliable starting center alongside Tim Duncan. Splitter’s NBA earnings totaled millions of dollars, though exact figures from his later contracts with Atlanta and Philadelphia aren’t publicly detailed. His financial stability from his playing days supported his transition into coaching.

As an assistant coach, Splitter likely earned standard NBA assistant salaries, typically ranging from several hundred thousand dollars to over one million annually for experienced assistants. His current interim head coach position with the Trail Blazers represents a significant pay increase, though the exact terms of his new compensation haven’t been disclosed publicly.

Tiago Splitter’s NBA Career and Coaching Journey

Splitter’s NBA career began in earnest in 2010 after the Spurs finally brought him over from Europe. He played five seasons in San Antonio, appearing in 255 games and starting 153. His best statistical season came in 2012-13 when he averaged 10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds while playing nearly every game for a Spurs team that reached the NBA Finals.

After his championship season in 2014, Splitter was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 2015, but hip injuries limited his effectiveness. He finished his playing career with brief stops in Philadelphia and its G-League affiliate before retiring in 2018. He was known for his high basketball IQ and team-first approach throughout his NBA tenure.

His coaching journey began immediately after retirement when the Brooklyn Nets hired him as a pro scout in 2018. He quickly advanced to player development coach in 2019, spending five seasons in Brooklyn before joining the Houston Rockets as an assistant coach in 2023.

Most recently, he served as head coach of Paris Basketball, winning the French league championship in 2025.

Tiago Role and Experience with the Trail Blazers

Splitter joined the Trail Blazers as an assistant coach this past summer, part of Chauncey Billups’ staff for the 2025-26 season. His hiring represented a return to the NBA after his successful one-year stint coaching in France, where he led Paris Basketball to the French league championship and French Cup while qualifying for the EuroLeague playoffs.

The Trail Blazers considered several candidates for the interim role, including former Indiana Pacers head coach Nate Bjorkgren, before settling on Splitter.

Organization leadership believed his recent head coaching experience in Europe and his fresh perspective made him the right choice to steady the team during this challenging transition period.

As interim head coach, Splitter faces the immediate challenge of preparing the Trail Blazers for their upcoming games while managing the distraction of his predecessor’s legal situation.

His international experience and championship background as a player provide credibility as he takes over a young team looking to establish its identity in the Western Conference.