SAN ANTONIO — Congratulations to former San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter, who recently had his Spanish League Baskonia No. 21 jersey retired.
Before coming to the NBA, Splitter spent ten seasons (2000-2010) in the Baskonia system beginning at age 15.
While with Baskonia, he was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team for the EuroLeague's 2007–08 season. He reached the 2008 EuroLeague Final Four with Baskonia and led the team to the EuroLeague 2008–09 season's playoffs.
He also won four Spanish Super Cups, took home the 210 Liga ACB Finals MVP, and was a two-time Liga ACB champion in 2008 and 2010.
Splitter also received a kind message from his former Spurs teammate, Manu Ginobili, following his well-earned honor.
He retired from basketball in 2018 and would join the Nets as an assistant coach from 2019-23 and is currently with the Rockets as an assistant coach.
Splitter now aims to become a head coach and will be an assistant coach with Team Brazil at this summer's Olympics.
"I like being a coach better," Splitter told Spanish site El Correo. "It's more fun, more pressure, everything. It's part of the evolution process. We'll see how the future goes. But I am very happy about my role in Houston."
Splitter joined the Spurs in 2010 and helped the team win the 2014 NBA title against Miami. He was selected to play in the 2012 NBA Rising Stars Challenge, but an injury kept him out. After his time with the Spurs, he played for the Hawks and 76ers.