Player Bio

Xavier Tillman Sr. was born January 12, 1999 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the son of Tanya Powell-May and Roosevelt Tillman. Tanya played college basketball at the University of Michigan, earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors and left as the program's all-timer leader in rebounds. Xavier has three older brothers and a younger sister. Tillman was 6-foot-5 when he was 14 years old and attended Forest Hills Central High School in Grand Rapids. After two years at Forest Hills, Tillman transferred to Grand Rapids Christian. At the close of his senior year, Tillman was a finalist for the Mr. Basketball of Michigan award and was named an Associate Press Class A First Team All-State member. The 6-foot-8 forward played three years of basketball at Michigan State (2017-2020) before declaring for the 2020 NBA Draft. Tillman studied journalism at Michigan State. Fans can follow the former Spartan on Twitter @Rookiedunker. Tilliam attended Michigan State for three years from 2017 to 2020. As a freshman, he came off the bench and posted a modest 2.8 points and 2.6 rebounds in 8.7 minutes per game. At the end of the season, he was the recipient of MSU's Most Improved Player Award and co-recipient of the Unsung Player Award. As a sophomore, Tillman started the last 14 of 39 games and increased his production to 10.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in 24.0 minutes per contest. He was also named the 2019 Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year and helped the Spartans reach the Final Four of the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Tillman was a regular starter for MSU during the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season and averaged a double-double of 13.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. He led the team in rebounds and blocks and with Cassius Winston led the squad to a 22-9 record, before declaring for the 2020 NBA Draft.