Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka to lose key member of coaching staff

Ime Udoka did a great job of holding the Houston Rockets together this offseason. They re-signed every single one of their potential free agents, including veteran point guard Aaron Holiday, a move that didn’t seem like a plan at all, according to a source.

However, the departure of Tiago Splitter from the Paris Basketball coaching staff may well be the most significant loss of the offseason for Udoka. Assistant Tiago Splitter has left the Rockets’ coaching staff to become the new head coach of Paris Basketball.

After retiring from the NBA, Splitter began his coaching career as an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019. He held that position for four seasons. In 2023, he joined Udoka’s staff in Houston after he was hired by the Rockets in April.

Splitter was instrumental in helping Udoka develop a handful of players during his lone season in Houston. Splitter’s teachings stem from his nearly two-decade career, which began at Ipiranga in 1999.

The Brazilian native began his NBA career in the 2010-11 season. He signed with the San Antonio Spurs and played under coach Gregg Popovich for five seasons. He helped the Spurs defeat the Miami Heat in the 2014 NBA Finals.

After his career with the Spurs, Splitter spent two years with the Atlanta Hawks in 2015. He finished his NBA playing career as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.

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