Memphis Grizzlies: Introducing rookie PF Killian Tillie

Killian Tillie made his debut for the Grizzlies on Sunday night. He’s been out the whole season due to a left foot injury. In 9 minutes, Tillie scored 3 points was 1-2 from the field, grabbed a rebound and a steal.

Tillie is a 6’9″, 220 pound undrafted forward out of Gonzaga and is originally from France. His senior season in college, he appeared in only 24 games due to injuries and load management, but averaged 13.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and shot a 53.5-40.0-72.6 line from the field. According to The Athletic NBA Draft expert Sam Vecenie’s pre-draft guide “based off talent [Killian Tillie] is a first-round pick but will fall down the board” due to injuries.

Despite clear talent, Memphis Grizzlies rookie Killian Tillie played limited time in college

Going into the 2020 NBA Draft cycle, Tillie struggled with injuries in his college career and was limited to only 15 games his junior year due to a stress fracture in his ankle and a partially torn plantar fascia in his foot. He’s on a two-way contract and is eligible for up to 50 games with Memphis.

Tillie is a well-rounded player who does a solid job at pretty much everything. He’s a tremendous shooter off the catch as shown with his 44.4 career three-point shooting. He has the good ball-handling ability for a big man that allows him to get to the rim.

Gonzaga would run him next to Flip Petrusev and Drew Timmie his senior year in a two-big lineup. His passing and shooting ability helped stretch the defense. Gonzaga ran some high-low post-entry tactics with Tillie as the passer. His versatility at the offensive end should help him as an NBA player on the Memphis Grizzlies.