NBA Draft 2020 Prospect Watch: Xavier Tillman Sr.
![EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 04: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans during game action against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Breslin Center on February 4, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 04: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans during game action against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Breslin Center on February 4, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/63d8c0f4ee4f6f7e51c67be86aa86c61776591007bf27e16fc50f7972e87f531.jpg)
Weaknesses
The questions for Tillman regards how his deficiencies and growing areas of development will affect his adjustment to the next level.
Of course, the biggest question along those lines is whether Tillman will have the capacity to be a viable floor spacer at the 5-spot. Being a career 27.3 percent 3-point shooter in college doesn’t bode well in that regard, but that does come on just 77 attempts. Still, Tillman’s 69.5 percent shooting from the foul line does indicate some ability to pop out and show some range, at the very least.
Additionally, Tillman’s far from an explosive athlete both vertically, especially off of two feet/at a standstill, and making quick-twitch decisions. How that may affect his ability to finish on contested rolls to the rim or even have to make last-second leaps to protect the rim will be key to watch, given the jump in play and athleticism in the NBA.
Whether Tillman’s undersized concerns at the center position will come to light is also an interesting question, even as the league values more athleticism and versatility at that spot.