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Xavier Tillman throws down one of NBA Summer League’s best dunks

By Connor Muldowney

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 7: Xavier Tillman Sr., #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies slam dunks over Tacko Fall #99 and Borisa Simanic #28 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of their NBA Summer League game July 7, 2022 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 7: Xavier Tillman Sr., #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies slam dunks over Tacko Fall #99 and Borisa Simanic #28 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of their NBA Summer League game July 7, 2022 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Former Spartan Xavier Tillman is having himself a nice NBA Summer League and on Thursday, he flashed some serious athleticism.

A couple of former Spartans have been playing well in the 2022 NBA Summer League.

While Max Christie isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire with the Lakers and Marcus Bingham Jr. and Gabe Brown have been quiet, Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman have been playing well.

Cassius is putting up nearly 10 points per game and seven assists with the Sixers and Tillman leads the Grizzlies in per-36 scoring, assists, blocks, and steals.

It’s good to see the former teammates excelling in the Summer League and making the most of their opportunities and while Cassius may not make the Sixers’ full-time roster, Tillman is a lock to do so with the Grizzlies. He’s playing exceptionally well.

And he’s flashing some elite athleticism, earning the No. 1 spot on Thursday night’s SportsCenter Top 10.

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1547692111041941505?s=20&t=KnmMjSjaTUBO-E7QqanS3g

Tillman’s dunk is easily one of the best from the Summer League and he’s showing that he’s not just a rebounder and defender, he’s also an athlete. If he can show that he’s capable of being an offensive threat, he will earn more minutes with the Grizzlies this season, especially if Jaren Jackson Jr. can’t stay healthy.

In five Summer League games as a starter, Tillman is averaging 11.2 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting about 43 percent from the floor. He needs to get that shooting percentage up, but he had a shaky 5-for-15 game on July 7 against the Jazz which really affected it.

Hopefully Tillman’s playing himself into an even bigger role with the Grizzlies this year.

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