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NBA Draft 2020 Prospect Watch: Xavier Tillman Sr.

By Jordan Treske

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) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 02: (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 02: (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

What the experts say

ESPN [$] (Jonathan Givony): 48th

The Athletic [$] (Sam Vecenie): 21st

Sports Illustrated (Jeremy Woo): 29th

Sporting News (Chris Stone): 28th

Bleacher Report (Jonathan Wassermann): 31st

Quotes:

Having placed him 29th on his most recent Big Board, Woo outlined how Tillman’s polished skill set and intricate awareness can help any playoff contending team late in the first round:

"“There may not a better big in the draft than Tillman when it comes down to the minutiae, and his hard-nosed, smart approach to interior play is tailor-made for an NBA role. He rebounds, sets great screens, can make plays for others in a pinch, knows exactly where to be on defense, and has even flashed potential to shoot from outside. There may not be a ton else for him to really add to his game, and he‘s undersized for a five-man, but Tillman should be able to help teams by simply continuing to be a better version of his current self. He would be a good addition to a playoff-caliber roster in the late first or early second round, and should benefit from the added exposure if Michigan State can regroup for another tournament run.”"

Along those same lines, Stone noted Tillman’s versatility as being the driving reason why he’s risen up draft boards the way he has while mocking him 28th overall in his most recent mock draft for the Sporting News:

"“Tillman is a prospect who has moved up draft boards in large part for just doing all the right things. He was one of the best defenders in the country this season, sets excellent screens on the offensive end while making plays in the short roll and even added a bit of range to his offensive game despite not seeing in-game results yet. Tillman is one of those prospects lacking significant upside who should still contribute in all the right ways.”"

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