Tiago Splitter was named interim coach of the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday after the arrest of Chauncey Billups.

Splitter, 40, will make his debut in the role on Friday night when the Trail Blazers host the Golden State Warriors.

Billups was arrested Thursday morning as part of a federal investigation into illegal betting activities.

"We are aware of the allegations involving head coach Chauncey Billups, and the Trail Blazers are fully cooperating with the investigation," the team said in a statement. "Billups has been placed on immediate leave, and Tiago Splitter will assume head coaching duties in the interim."

Splitter is the first Brazilian-born head coach in NBA history. This is his first season with the Trail Blazers.

He previously had NBA assistant coaching stints with th

See Full Page