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Get to know the Memphis Grizzlies’ 2020 NBA Draft picks

By Reed Garrison

COLLEGE PARK, MD - FEBRUARY 29: Xavier Tillman Sr. #23 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on February 29, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - FEBRUARY 29: Xavier Tillman Sr. #23 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on February 29, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /
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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) /

Xavier Tillman

Power forward / center

Michigan State (Jr.)

The Grizzlies traded the 40th overall pick and a 2022 second-round pick to the Sacramento Kings for this year’s 35th pick, which they used on Michigan State’s Xavier Tillman.

In Memphis, Tillman can reunite with former college teammate Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies’ PF/C who’s entering his third NBA season.

https://twitter.com/Rookiedunker/status/1329430048047296516

Adding Tillman to the Grizzlies’ roster is adding defense and playmaking. Tillman has a great basketball IQ and also shows he is a hard worker and a leader from his time at MSU.

Age: 21

Physicals: 6’8″, 245 pounds

2019-20 stats: 13.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 55.0 percent FG, 26.0 percent 3PT

Awards: Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (2020), Big Ten All-Defense (2020), All-Big Ten (2020), Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year (2019), NCAA Tournament All-Region (2019)

Offense: Tillman on the offensive end shows great playmaking and he is a good finisher around the rim. His playmaking ability is why many analysts give him the Draymond Green comparison. Tillman has a great basketball IQ, which translates into his passing and playmaking. When he dives to the rim in the pick-and-roll, he shows great decision-making. He also shows to have great hands when he is rolling to the rim, which is a great skill to have as a big man in today’s NBA.

One area that Tilman’s lacks on the offensive end is his outside shooting. That will be the area that he can better develop throughout his NBA career.

Defense: Xavier Tillman won the 2019-20 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Tillman uses his size and big physical frame to contest opponents. He has a 7’2” wingspan which comes in great on going after rebounds and contesting shots. He averaged over 2 blocks per game with the Spartans. Tillman averaged over 10 rebounds a game in his last season with Michigan State. Tillman also shows great IQ and all-around basketball knowledge on the defensive end. He knows where to be in help defense and knows his role.

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