The Portland Trail Blazers will have a new coach manning the sidelines for the foreseeable future.
Head coach Chauncey Billups was arrested and detained on charges of conspiracy fraud and money laundering. He's accused of participating in an illegal gambling ring linked with the Italian Mafia.
Billups' sudden arrest and investigation made his seat in Rose City untenable — at least in the immediate future. Unsurprisingly, Billups will be kept away from team games until his federal investigation is resolved.
In the meantime, the Blazers will be helmed by a hulking presence whose name will elicit memories of years past for certain NBA fans.
Here's what you need to know.
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Who is Trail Blazers interim head coach?
With Billups under federal investigation, the Trail Blazers handed head coaching responsibilities to another former NBA champion: Tiago Splitter.
The 40-year-old spent seven seasons in the NBA, playing for the San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers. He was a prominent piece of the San Antonio sides of the early-2010s, starting 143 games for the franchise from 2012-2015. While not the most prolific scorer, Splitter was a talented rim protector and solid rebounder. He averaged 7.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in the 2014 playoffs, starting 18 of 23 contests as the Spurs picked up their fifth NBA title.
The Brazilian, the latest in Gregg Popovich's coaching tree, enjoyed stints on the sidelines and front office in Brooklyn and Houston before landing a head-coaching gig in French basketball's top-flight last year.
Chauncey Billups NBA gambling scandal
Federal agents arrested Billups early Thursday morning. The FBI claims the 49-year-old participated in a years-long gambling scheme that saw poker players swindled out of millions of dollars.
The illegal gambling ring — which reportedly involved X-ray tables to scan playing cards, custom glasses with the ability to read cards and rigged card-shuffling machines — is said to have ties to the Bonano, Gambino, Luchese and Genovese crime families in New York, according to U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. Billups allegedly lured victims into participating in the events.
According to ABC News, Billups did not bet on games he played or coached in. He was released on Thursday after appearing before a U.S. District Court judge. Per The Athletic, Billups is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
Late Thursday night, Billups' attorney, Chris Heywood, issued the following statement (via ESPN):
Anyone who knows Chauncey Billups knows he is a man of integrity; men of integrity do not cheat and defraud others.
To believe that Chauncey Billups did what the federal government is accusing him of is to believe that he would risk his hall-of-fame legacy, his reputation, and his freedom. He would not jeopardize those things for anything, let alone a card game.
Furthermore, Chauncey Billups has never and would nevr gamble on basketball games, provide insider information, or sacrifice the trust of his team and the League, as it would tarnish the game he has devoted his entire life to.
Chauncey Billups has never backed down. He does not plan to do so now. He will fight these allegations with the same tenacity that marked his 28-year career. We look forward to our day in court.
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Tiago Splitter stats
Splitter's numbers weren't too awe-inspiring during his playing career. He topped out at 10.3 points per game during the 2012-13 season.
Still, Splitter's production was useful for a San Antonio side already teeming with star power. Here's a look at his averages throughout his eight-year spell in the NBA.
Season Team Games PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG%
2010-11 Spurs 60 4.6 3.4 0.4 0.5 0.3 53.2%
2011-12 Spurs 59 9.3 5.2 1.1 0.4 0.8 61.8%
2012-13 Spurs 81 10.3 6.4 1.6 0.8 0.8 56.0%
2013-14 Spurs 59 8.2 6.2 1.5 0.5 0.5 52.3%
2014-15 Spurs 35 8.2 4.8 1.5 0.7 0.7 55.8%
2015-16 Hawks 36 5.6 2.8 0.8 0.6 0.3 52.3%
2016-17 76ers 8 4.9 2.8 0.5 0.1 0.1 45.2%
Career 355 7.9 5.0 1.2 0.6 0.6 55.5%
Tiago Splitter blocked by LeBron James
Splitter's most notable career highlight was no highlight at all — at least not one Splitter will look back fondly upon. During Game 2 of the 2013 NBA Finals, Splitter strode the post after fielding a bounce pass from Tony Parker. He leapt towards the rafters, hoping to throw down a jam and cut into the Miami Heat's double-digit advantage.
That's when a shadow darted into the painted area; then-Heat supernova LeBron James met Splitter at the apex of his leap and turned away Splitter's attempted poster with one hand.
It was the preeminent James block of his career. At least until he swatted Andre Igoudala in Game 7 of the 2017 Finals.
Tiago Splitter coaching career
Splitter enjoyed brief spells with the Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets, serving as a pro scout, player development coach and assistant coach in his first two coaching gigs. In 2021, he was named an assistant coach of the Brazilian national team. One year later, Splitter was given the title of Brazilian U23 national team at the GLOBL Jam Tournament in Toronto. The Brazilians proceeded to win the tourney's gold medal.
In addition to his work in international play, Splitter also served as the head coach of LNB Elite side Paris Basketball. In his first and only year in charge, Splitter led Paris to an LNB Elite title — its first in organization history. The side also claimed a French Basketball Cup win and EuroLeague quarterfinals before falling victim to Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce.
Splitter is believed to rely on a snaking pick-and-roll. The play-call has been essential to his success as a head coach thus far. Expect to see the likes of Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson rely on the call throughout his tenure in charge.
How tall is Tiago Splitter?
Splitter stands 6-11, making him one of the tallest head coaches in league history.
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