By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Tiago Splitter is building a bridge between his EuroLeague roots and the NBA. The new Chicago Bulls head coach, the former Paris play-caller in Europe’s premier club competition, finalized his coaching staff for the 2026–27 season on Monday.
The Brazilian tactician has assembled a team with strong international and continental credentials. Leading that European connection is assistant coach Rex Kalamian. A 34-year NBA coaching veteran, Kalamian also serves as the head coach of the Armenian national team. He is joined by fellow new assistant Jonah Herscu, recently named head coach of Romania’s senior national team.
Splitter also elevated former Slovakian international big and EuroLeague alumnus Martin Rancik to senior player development coach. He spent 15 years playing professionally in top leagues across Spain, Italy, Greece, Slovakia, and the Czechia.
The global theme reaches into the video department, too. New video coordinator Delvon Johnson brings his own deep European pedigree to the table. Before moving into basketball operations, Johnson spent 14 seasons playing overseas with stops in Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia, Sweden, the Czechia, and Cyprus.
Beyond those direct national team ties, the Bulls‘ reshaped staff is packed with global experience. New assistant Blake Ahearn has his own history in Europe. He previously suited up in Spain and Italy. Returning player development coach L.D. Williams adds to that flavor, carrying past playing experience from France and Finland.
They all step in alongside returning assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr., a former Washington Wizards head coach who enters his third year in Chicago. The rest of the bench features newly retired big Taj Gibson, who begins his coaching career in the franchise where his NBA journey started.
Kings reshape bench and operations
Concurrently, the Sacramento Kings made their own major structural changes. Head coach Doug Christie has remade both his coaching and basketball operations departments. A key front office promotion went to Nicolas Liagridonis, who is stepping into a dual role as basketball data scientist and G League personnel coordinator. It is a strategic move that perfectly bridges data-driven analytics with the development paths often traveled by international prospects.
The new-look bench features a fascinating blend of championship pedigree and modern development philosophy, with several fresh faces holding distinctive overseas ties. Newly promoted assistant coach D.J. Ham, who steps up after serving as the team’s head of player development, actually launched his post-collegiate career by playing professionally in Germany.
Incoming assistant video coordinator Wyatt Lohaus shares a similar path, having spent two seasons competing in overseas leagues after his college career at Northern Iowa.
Even the new player development assistant, Jason Maxiell, has a continental connection. The 10-year NBA veteran and former Detroit Pistons player concluded his extensive playing days with a stint in Turkiye.
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