Photo: Portland Trail Blazers/YouTube

The Chicago Bulls have selected Tiago Splitter as the franchise’s next head coach, ending their search for a replacement for Billy Donovan.

Splitter joins Chicago after spending last season as interim head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. He took over the team following the arrest of former head coach Chauncey Billups shortly after the season began.

Under Splitter’s leadership, Portland exceeded expectations by finishing with a 42-40 record and securing the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoff race.

Chicago considered several candidates during its coaching search before ultimately choosing Splitter.

Other finalists included Micah Nori of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Ryan Schmidt of the Atlanta Hawks, and current Bulls assistant Wes Unseld Jr..

The hiring marks the first head coaching decision made by Bryson Graham since taking over as Chicago’s Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations.

Splitter’s departure from Portland now leaves the Trail Blazers with a coaching vacancy of their own.

According to reports, the organization is expected to choose between Nori and Tyler Lashbrook as it searches for its next head coach.

Tiago Splitter Hired By Bulls As Head Coach https://t.co/dChPLUdzwJ