The Portland Trail Blazers have named an interim replacement for head coach Chauncey Billups, who has been placed under arrest for illegal gambling activities.
The Portland Trail Blazers are betting on Tiago Splitter to lead them forward amidst the unconventional departure of head coach Chauncey Billups.
Per Shams Charania of ESPN, the Blazers will name Splitter as the interim head coach, replacing Billups, who has been placed on leave amidst his arrest for involvement in illegal gambling activities. Splitter has been with the team since June, after previously serving as an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets (2019-23) and Houston Rockets (2023-24).
The NBA announced Billups’ leave, along with that of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, who was likewise placed under arrest after being accused of manipulating game and prop bets.
“We are in the process of reviewing the federal indictments announced today,” the league said in its statement, per Charania. “Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups are being placed on immediate leave from their teams, and we will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities. We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority.”
Splitter, 40, is perhaps best-known for his playing tenure with the San Antonio Spurs, where he became the first Brazilian-born player to earn an NBA championship ring after besting the Heat in the 2014 Finals. Having earned several other individual accolades for his play in Spain, Splitter was one of several international gems the Spurs discovered during their new-century heyday, coming to San Antonio as a first-round pick in the 2007 draft before making his NBA debut three years later.
Portland Trail Blazers assistant Tiago Splitter will assume the 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. pic.twitter.com/bUIzHK9XED
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 23, 2025
What’s Next for Portland?
Splitter averaged 7.9 points and 5.0 rebounds in his NBA career, which also visited Atlanta and Philadelphia. Prior to his Portland entry, he served as the head coach of Paris Basketball, guiding the French club to an LNB Elite title in June. Splitter has also served as an assistant on his native Brazil’s men’s national team, which placed seventh at 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 game to Minnesota at home. Per Charania’s report, Billups is accused of manipulating Mafia-backed poker games, which were said to have cost players seven figures in losses.
— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) October 23, 2025
The 2004 NBA Finals MVP and recent Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame inductee was labeled a “face card” by U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella Jr., a popular face meant to draw in unsuspecting players who would subsequently fall into debt to the mob.
Portland (0-1) hosts his first head coaching spot, which produced a 117-211 record over his first four tours. Billups earned a contract extension with a 36-46 record last season, which was Portland’s best in a full 82-game season since 2018-19.
The Blazers’ first showing under Splitter lands on Friday night when they host the Golden State Warriors at Moda Center (7 p.m. PT, Rip City TV Network).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
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