Gonzaga is primed to be one of the best teams in the country next season, with Tillie being a major reason why. The French big man projects as a floor-spacing five at the next level, shooting 47.9 percent from deep last season.
In a league that’s becoming increasingly perimeter-oriented, Tillie is an ideal fit. Alongside his natural shooting touch, he’s also fluid in the pick-and-roll and a willing passer. His high basketball I.Q. and feel for the game will shorten his adjustment period.
After playing a minor role in year one, last season was Tillie’s initial breakout — starting 35 of 36 games and increasing his scoring average by almost nine points. It’s worth noting that his efficiency actually improved with a greater workload as well.
As one of the more NBA-friendly systems in college basketball, it’s easy to picture the path toward success for Tillie at the next level. He should be firmly in your first round at this point.