Strengths
Tillie’s role over four seasons at Gonzaga was a roller coaster. When he was on the floor, however, he produced, and this past season was no exception. Tillie averaged 13.6 points and 5.0 rebounds in 24.6 minutes per game. His 40 percent success rate from deep was a career low. His 3-point stroke is honey-sweet.
Listed at 6-foot-10 and 220 pounds, Tillie brings impressive size and skill to the frontcourt. He can shoot 3s at a high volume, he can work the mid-range, and he’s acclimated to the pick-and-roll. Tillie is also a brilliant passer in the frontcourt — he reads the floor better than any center (or forward) in this class.
It’s rare to find bigs who can move, shoot, and pass as fluidly as Tillie does. The ball never sticks too long. He can spray passes all over the floor, and at 6-foot-10, it’s easy for him to peak over defenders and nail open shooters or cutters.
When he’s not moving the ball, Tillie is happy to move without it. He cuts to open spaces and curls around screens with the effectiveness of a wing. He’s one of the quintessential modern bigs who can function in roles normally reserved for smaller players.
Inside, Tillie makes up for limited explosiveness and length with plenty of finesse. He can finish with either hand, and he’s capable of reaching deep into his bag to evade defenders. Tillie can play either the four or five on paper, but due to his injury history, teams may be inclined to pigeonhole him as a four until further notice.
As for defense, Tillie provides more value than one might expect. He’s not long, nor is he broad-shouldered, but his instincts and feel for the game shine. Tillie moves his feet in space, he uses his hands disruptively inside, and he knows how to maintain position without fouling. As far as team defense goes, Tillie should be more than fine — especially if he’s placed next to a rim protector.