The wait is finally over for Xavier Tillman Sr. He has been selected 35th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2020 NBA Draft. He becomes the 21st player drafted into the NBA that has played under head coach Tom Izzo. Tillman will reunite with Jaren Jackson Jr., who was his teammate at MSU in 2017-18.
Tillman Sr. averaged 8.7 PPG and 6.6 RPG over his three seasons at Michigan State. Last season he averaged 13.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG and 2.1 BPG en route to winning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He was also on the All-Big Ten second-team for last season, and won 2019 Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year.
The Sacramento Kings originally owned this pick but traded it to Grizzlies. This pick has been traded multiple teams as it is the Detroit Pistons pick, but they traded it to the Phoenix Suns who then traded it to the Kings. Tillman will look to come off the bench for his former Spartan teammate next year. Meanwhile, Cassius Winston is still on board awaiting to be selected.
Sources: Memphis is picking Xavier Tillman at No. 35 in NBA Draft.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 19, 2020
