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Projected second-round pick Killian Tillie has studied quite a few players over the years but it might be fellow Frenchman Boris Diaw that was among his favorites to watch over the years.
Tillie, who was born in Paris, had the opportunity to meet Diaw while playing at Gonzaga. As he told Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype, he relished the chance to speak with him after carefully studying his game while growing up.
Diaw established himself as a strong playmaker throughout his 14 seasons in the NBA. Of course, he helped the San Antonio Spurs win a championship in 2014 and it was that playing style that stuck out to Tillie.
I love Boris Diaw and I love the way he played. I loved his playmaking and he can shoot a little bit. He came to one of our games in Salt Lake City. I got to meet him and it was very fun. It was good to talk to him a little bit. My brother [Kim] is definitely one of them, too. Then one of my favorite players not from France is Danillo Gallinari. I think I can play very similarly to him.
Tillie is among several French prospects in the 2020 NBA Draft, including Killian Hayes, Theo Maledon and Abdoulaye N’Doye. Tillie has a relationship with each of those players and is excited about the upcoming chance to represent his country in the NBA.
He figures to have a good chance of hearing his name called on Nov. 18, too.
Tillie is considered to be perhaps the best-shooting big man in the draft and is touted as a great all-around player. He may need some development at the next level but his playing style appears to be a great fit in the modern NBA game and why he projects to have a bright future ahead.
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