Splitter says he's likely to return to Spurs next week
While the NBA lockout might be technically still in force, players have returned from overseas 
to start preparing for training camps set to kick off next week.
And with front offices allowed to speak with player's agents and NBA gyms open for players to train, San Antonio Spurs' Tiago Splitter still remains in Spain playing for Valencia Basket but is set to return to San Antonio next week.
In an interview with ACB.com, Splitter has made it clear he will be leaving Valencia by next week.
Brazil Valencia Basket pivot, said in a statement that his departure from the League, will probably be next week and will return to the San Antonio Spurs now that the lockout is over.
This should be fantastic news for Spurs fans and the coaching staff. Last season, Splitter missed most of training camp after injuring his calf so for him to get in a full training camp would be ideal.
As for playing with Valencia, Splitter has no regrets and admits it was mainly due to stay in shape while the lockout was raging on.
"I did the right thing because I needed to be training"
Solid choice for Splitter. And although he has played in four games for Valencia, the added time on the court will help him come next week's training camp opener.
Speaking of the new season, Splitter said he is looking forward to improving in his second season.
"I hope I do better this year. The first year is always difficult for rookies but I will stay the same, working hard to improve and do my best."
Splitter's final game could be against Real Madrid or in the Eurocup versus Lukoil Academic Sofia next Tuesday. He also left it open to return to play in Spain in the future.
Splitter is one player the spurs need. Lets hope he has improved his game. The spurs need more like splitter.
even though it's an abbreviated training camp this season, Splitter will get to participate in it now (something he couldn't do last season due to his injury while playing for Brazil) and that should help him improve for this 2011-12 season.
@BballSA yes, he should. after showing some potential in the Memphis series and like i said, with him participating in training camp, he should be able to play more in his 2nd season. it doesn't matter whether or not our bigs change (my guess is that there will be a new big on this team, All-Star or not).
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Splitter never really had a good chance last year. This year will be a different story.
@KrisPittman Agree. Besides of injury, Tiago didn't get enough opportunity because he was a rookie under POP last season.
Hopefully he'll have a better season than he did last year. He was surely a letdown for me and possibly every Spurs fan. I mean, the guy was touted as the best player in Europe when he arrived in San Antonio. To see him come sputtering out of the gates was disheartening to say the least.
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@slapdoghoops HE was hurt in training camp! and Pop treated him like he did to Geroge Hill in his firs year instead of the Pro that he was after he was healthy.
@slapdoghoops He's got so much BBIQ it aint funny. He's a smart player and if you haven't been keeping up with him he's done very well in Brazil in the Olympic qualifiers over the summer and now in Spain playing for Valencia. Funny he plays great overseas and makes his free throws like he always did there. Pop should just leave his form alone and let him loose on the court. Maybe he'll see the same results here in the states. NBA or no NBA the coaches over there know how to use Splitter's strengths and it shows. Maybe Pop should have spent some time watching him play in Europe after last season ended he could stand to learn something from those Euro coaches. Plus he was one of the few bright spots in the Memphis series.
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@slapdoghoops well he was battling tons of nagging injuries. That derailed him though he did show something vs MEM in the playoffs.
