The Chicago Bulls introduced Tiago Splitter as their new head coach on Wednesday, pairing him with executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham, who was hired six weeks earlier. Both men framed the announcement as the first step of a rebuild, emphasizing that the organization and the coach share a common vision for the franchise’s future.

“He’s smart. He’s curious as a coach in a game that is always changing. He wants to get better,” Graham said, adding that Splitter is competitive, a good communicator and has a vision that aligns with the front office. Graham noted that the Bulls are “at the ground floor,” and that having a coach whose outlook matches the organization’s rebuild plan is essential.

Splitter’s résumé is rooted in development. He began as a pro scout before moving to an assistant role with the Brooklyn Nets, where he worked closely with emerging big man Jarrett Allen. Later, as a member of Ime Udoka’s staff in Houston, he was transparent with Turkish rookie Alperen Şengün, emphasizing the same developmental mindset.

The Bulls will soon learn which of the consensus top-four prospects in the NBA Draft lands in Chicago, a decision that will test Splitter’s ability to accelerate a young talent’s transition to the league. Graham’s comments make clear that the draft pick is expected to be a cornerstone of the rebuild.

“The first thing you do is connect,” Splitter said of his approach to player development. He added that he has already begun reaching out to players via texts and phone calls, calling that connection the foundation of everything a coach does at this level.

By pairing a development-first coach with an executive who repeatedly stresses alignment, Chicago signals a willingness to endure short-term growing pains for long-term payoff. If Splitter can translate his scouting and coaching experience into measurable improvement for the young core, the Bulls could become a model for patient reconstruction rather than a cautionary tale of unfulfilled potential.