Michigan State Basketball: Xavier Tillman thriving early on with Grizzlies

Former Michigan State basketball star Xavier Tillman is thriving with the Memphis Grizzlies early in his rookie year. What are people saying?

Xavier Tillman’s rapid growth at Michigan State was well-documented. He came in as a slightly out of shape big who needed to mold his post moves and his defense to adjust to the Big Ten’s speed and aggressive style.

As a freshman, he brought some energy off the bench but played sparingly. He didn’t see the court much, sitting behind guys like Nick Ward and Jaren Jackson Jr.

As a sophomore, he assumed the starting center role late in the season when Ward went down with an injury and helped lead Michigan State to a Final Four with Cassius Winston. He continued his success as a junior, locking down the Big Ten’s top bigs and winning the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.

Many believed he would choose to pursue the NBA after three seasons despite his love for Michigan State and the fact that his junior year was cut short due to COVID-19, but he had a family to take care of and he had already graduated. He entered the NBA draft.

Shockingly, he fell out of the first round and all the way down to No. 35 overall to the Memphis Grizzlies, rejoining his good friend and former MSU teammate (Jackson Jr.).

With Jackson Jr. out with an injury during this first part of the NBA season, Tillman has gotten plenty of minutes and he’s making the most of them. He’s been earning the praises of coaches and teammates and he just had his best career game on Wednesday night.

Tillman had 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in just 18 minutes, making 6-of-8 shots from the floor. He led the Grizzlies to a big win over the Timberwolves, their third straight.

And he’s been getting better each week. His season started slowly as he was out with tendonitis, but in six NBA games, he’s averaging 7.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 56 percent from the floor. He’s having no issue adjusting to the NBA level. He’s averaging 18.2 minutes per game as a rookie and doesn’t seem to be overwhelmed in the least.

Tillman’s high basketball IQ, elite defense and strong frame have led to him becoming one of the bright young rookies in the league.

I guess leaving a year early was the right choice, after all.