Michigan State Basketball: Evaluating NBA potential for Spartan prospects

Although there is a chance he could still return, Xavier Tillman is probably Michigan State’s most complete NBA prospect. Defense will be his calling card at the next level, as the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year shut down almost everyone who had the misfortune of being matched up against him. Some of his victims include Luka Garza, Lamar Stevens, and Kaleb Wesson. His offensive game is also coming along, as he showed a continually improving 3-point shot.

When you look at Tillman, he checks all the boxes when it comes to his physical profile. He stands at 6-foot-8 and weighs 245 pounds, which is a far cry from his weight when he arrived at MSU in 2017. He has positional versatility, playing mostly center for Tom Izzo, but he has the athletic ability to guard power forwards as well, which he will probably end up doing in the NBA, due to his size. His tenacity on the defensive end as well as on the glass makes him a dangerous small-ball center as well.

As an offensive player, Tillman never created much offense for himself, but he never needed to with Cassius Winston as his point guard. Benefiting from being an excellent pick-and-roll man allowed Tillman to catch perfect lobs from Winston.

Tillman also always somehow managed to be open under the basket, and was a tremendous finisher around the rim. He is also a career 70 percent free throw shooter, which is solid for a big man. He also showed the ability to step out and shoot mid-range jump shots, as well as sometimes expanding out to the 3-point line.

NBA teams will be happy with Tillman knowing he has that in his back pocket. His stock is currently could end up having one of those careers where he falls to the second round, people wonder how he fell so far and he ends up having a long career.

Tillman could still return, but with his stock as high as it’s going to be, it seems likely that he will keep his name in the draft and that would be the right decision.