Manu Ginobili champions ‘good friend’ Tiago Splitter on landing Chicago job

San Antonio Spurs legend Manu Ginobili is showing love to former teammate and friend Tiago Splitter after he was announced as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. Ginobili and Splitter played five seasons together, reaching two NBA Finals and winning the NBA Championship against the Miami Heat in 2014. Now, Splitter has jump-started his coaching career, and Ginobili is excited to see Splitter recieve the opportunity.

“So cool to see @tiagosplitter becoming head coach of the Bulls,” Ginobili posted on his X account. “Very very very happy for you my friend!! Congrats and good luck!!”

Splitter retired from professional basketball in 2017 and immediately began jump-starting his coaching career in 2019. From 2019 to 2023, he served as an assistant coach on the Brooklyn Nets. In the 2023-2024 season, he then joined the Houston Rockets as an assistant coach. After a stint with Paris Basketball, he became an assistant head coach for the Portland Trail Blazers. During the 2025-2026 season, he got his opportunity to lead his own team as the interim head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Splitter was elevated to interim head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers after head coach Chauncey Billups was suspended amid a federal gambling investigation. Billups was later indicted on charges connected to an alleged illegal poker operation, leading Splitter to guide Portland for the remainder of the season.

The Blazers thrived with Splitter at the helm, finishing with a 42-39 record in the 81 games he coached, good enough to clinch a bid to the NBA play-in tournament. They ultimately won their sole play-in tournament game against the Phoenix Suns and earned the right to play the eventual Western Conference champion, the San Antonio Spurs, in the first round. The Blazers ultimately lost in five games.

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