Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Xavier Tillman has earned a reputation as a reliable frontcourt player who understands how to impact games without needing the spotlight. Known for his physical defense, smart decision-making, and willingness to do the little things, he has consistently provided value whenever called upon. His team-first approach and versatility have helped him fit into a variety of roles throughout his NBA career.

Here’s detailed information about Xavier Tillman:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Xavier Justis Tillman Sr.
  • Nickname: LT.
  • Nationality: American.
  • Date of Birth: January 12, 1999.
  • Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. (Michigan State University Athletics)
  • Height: 6’8″ (2.03 m).
  • Weight: 245 lbs (111 kg).
  • Wingspan: 7’2″. (NBADraft)
  • Shoe Size: Not publicly confirmed in a reliable source I could verify.
  • Jersey Number (College and NBA): #23 (Michigan State Spartans); #2 (Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets).
  • Position: Forward / Center.
  • High School: Forest Hills Central High School; Grand Rapids Christian High School. (Wikipedia)
  • College: Michigan State (2017–2020).
  • NBA Draft: Sacramento Kings, 2020, Round 2, Pick 35. He was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on draft night. (NBA)
  • Teams Played For:
    Memphis Grizzlies (2020–2024)
    Boston Celtics (2024–2026)
    Charlotte Hornets (2026–present)
  • Championship Rings: 1 NBA championship (2024, Boston Celtics). (Charlotte Hornets)
  • Parents: Roosevelt Tillman and Tanya Powell-May. (Wikipedia)
  • Children: Ayanna Tillman, Xavier Tillman Jr., and Leilani Tillman. (NBA)
  • Siblings: R.J. Tillman, Ben Tillman, Parker Tillman, and Madisyn Tillman. (Wikipedia)
  • Athlete Relatives: Tanya Powell-May (mother; former Michigan women’s basketball player); Parker Tillman (brother; played football at Northwood). (Wikipedia)

Player Archetype / Play Style

Xavier Tillman’s player archetype is that of a rugged utility big, a defense-first frontcourt piece whose value comes from positioning, screening, rebounding, and connective passing more than flashy scoring. Defensively, he fits as a smart interior helper who can hold ground in the post, rotate on time, switch selectively, and make life harder for opposing bigs with strength and anticipation. Offensively, his role is typically low-usage but useful: set solid screens, facilitate from the elbows or short roll, finish inside, and keep possessions alive with physical work on the glass. Physically, he is not an above-the-rim marvel by NBA center standards, but his 6’8″, 245-pound frame and 7’2″ wingspan help him play bigger than his listed height. The overall play style is built on toughness, IQ, defensive versatility, and unselfish team offense, which is why he has often looked most comfortable as a dependable complementary big in structured lineups. (NBA)

Scouting Report

Xavier Tillman isn’t the biggest or the quickest center on the floor, but he consistently wins possessions because he understands where they are headed before everyone else does. What stands out to me is how cleanly he processes the game. He sets firm screens, flips his angles to free ball handlers, and when he catches on the short roll he rarely holds the ball long enough for the defense to recover, instead firing passes to corner shooters or finding cutters slipping behind the help. He isn’t a vertical lob threat who overwhelms opponents above the rim, so he relies on footwork, balance and strength to finish through contact or carve out space with timely post seals. Defensively, that’s where his feel really shows. He communicates constantly, rotates early as the low man and does an excellent job containing pick-and-rolls in drop coverage because he stays patient instead of committing too soon. The interesting thing is that he also moves well enough to survive switches for a few dribbles, using positioning and active hands to delay guards until help arrives rather than trying to mirror every move. The trade-off is that long, explosive finishers can shoot over him around the basket, and lineups looking for constant rim pressure above the cylinder won’t get that dimension from his offensive game. His value comes from making everyone else’s job easier. Put him next to dynamic creators and perimeter defenders who trust his communication, and the entire unit tends to look more organized because he’s constantly cleaning up spacing mistakes on both ends. I’ve always thought there are shades of Nick Collison in the selfless, detail-oriented approach, while parts of his offensive decision-making resemble Boris Diaw, not because they score the same way, but because both understand how to keep an advantage alive with quick, intelligent reads instead of forcing the spectacular play.

Fun Facts

  • Xavier Tillman has credited his family life for helping him mature and develop as a player. He married his high school sweetheart, Tamia, while in college, and they have built a strong family foundation together.
  • His unselfish play and focus on fundamentals make him a key contributor for the Memphis Grizzlies. He played a significant role in the team’s success, particularly as a defensive anchor and efficient scorer in the paint.

Sources:
NBA.com — Xavier Tillman | Forward | Charlotte Hornets
NBA.com — Xavier Tillman Bio
Michigan State Spartans — Xavier Tillman Sr. – Men’s Basketball
Michigan State Spartans — Tillman Ready for Next Step, Reflects on his Time at MSU
NBA.com — 3 fun facts about your favorite Summer League players
NBADraft.net — Xavier Tillman
NBA.com — Celtics get Xavier Tillman in trade with Grizzlies
Charlotte Hornets — Hornets Acquire Xavier Tillman Sr. From Celtics
Basketball-Reference — Xavier Tillman Sr. Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Wikipedia — Xavier Tillman