Tag: Xavier Tillman Sr.

Spartans in the NBA: Cassius Winston debuts, Xavier Tillman sets new career highs

Cassius Winston was able to make his debut and Xavier Tillman set new career highs in a thrilling night for Spartans in the NBA.

The last time there was a Spartans in the NBA, two players had yet to make their NBA debuts. Well now that two weeks have passed, Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman were both able to make their NBA debuts! Draymond Green was also able to make his season debut and has had a few good performances in his return. Jaren Jackson Jr. has still not made his season debut, but should be returning within the next few weeks.

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Let’s see how other Spartans have done in the NBA in the past two weeks:

Twitter reacts to MSU players getting drafted

Two Spartans have now entered the NBA as a result of the draft last night: Xavier Tillman Sr. and Cassius Winston.

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Two Spartans have now entered the NBA as a result of the draft last night: Xavier Tillman Sr. and Cassius Winston. Twitter had a bunch of reactions to the two former Spartans getting drafted:

Former Spartans:

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NBA Draft: Xavier Tillman selected No. 35 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies

The wait is finally over for Xavier Tillman Sr. He has been selected _ overall by the _ in the 2020 NBA Draft.

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The wait is finally over for Xavier Tillman Sr. He has been selected 35th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2020 NBA Draft. He becomes the 21st player drafted into the NBA that has played under head coach Tom Izzo. Tillman will reunite with Jaren Jackson Jr., who was his teammate at MSU in 2017-18.

Tillman Sr. averaged 8.7 PPG and 6.6 RPG over his three seasons at Michigan State. Last season he averaged 13.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG and 2.1 BPG en route to winning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He was also on the All-Big Ten second-team for last season, and won 2019 Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year.

The Sacramento Kings originally owned this pick but traded it to Grizzlies. This pick has been traded multiple teams as it is the Detroit Pistons pick, but they traded it to the Phoenix Suns who then traded it to the Kings. Tillman will look to come off the bench for his former Spartan teammate next year. Meanwhile, Cassius Winston is still on board awaiting to be selected.

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Michigan State comes in at No. 13 in Preseason AP Top 25

The preseason AP Top 25 was released today and Michigan State comes in at No. 13.

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The preseason AP Top 25 was released today and Michigan State came in at No. 13. They also come in as the 4th highest Big Ten team behind Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois, all of whom are in the top 10. Other Big Ten teams to make the top 25 are Ohio State, Michigan and Rutgers. Gonzaga came in as the the No. 1 team ahead of Baylor, Villanova and Virginia.

Michigan State is losing key pieces from last year in Cassius Winston, Xavier Tillman Sr. and Kyle Ahrens. But they have incoming freshmen AJ Hoggard and Many Sissoko. Unfortunately, Hoggard was just revealed to be undergoing surgery and will be out, but should be back for the start of the season. Also, Marquette transfer Joey Hauser will finally make his Spartan debut this year.

Michigan State begins the season December 1 against Duke in the Champions Classic.

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CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish raves about Cassius Winston ahead of NBA Draft

Cassius Winston is getting high praise from a CBS Sports college basketball analyst ahead of the draft later this month.

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With the 2020 NBA Draft just a few weeks away now, fans are getting excited to see the next wave of stars begin their NBA careers. Michigan State is projected to have two players drafted in Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman Sr. Winston is getting high praise from a CBS Sports college basketball analyst ahead of the draft later this month.

“Cassius Winston I think could help an NBA team next season.”  Gary Parrish

Winston led the Spartans to a Big Ten regular season championship and 22-9 record last season. He averaged 18.6 PPG, 5.9 APG, and shot 43.2% from three last season in 30 games played. Winston is a projected late first or early second round pick in this year’s draft. Expect that position to change as the combine is happening throughout the month. Tillman is also a projected late first or early second round pick.

The draft is taking place on November 18th at ESPN facilities in Bristol, Connecticut over videoconferencing.

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Cassius Winston a first rounder in ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft

Winston and Xavier Tillman Sr. are both selected in the top 40 of ESPN’s latest mock draft.

The NBA Draft order is set and that means it is time for more mock drafts!

Former Michigan State Spartan Cassius Winston is slotted in at No. 29 overall in ESPN’s latest mock draft. Of the former Big Ten Player of the Year, author Jonathan Given writes, “Starting Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet together means there is room to draft for depth at the point guard spot, especially with VanVleet entering free agency. Winston is an All-American and one of the best pick-and-roll players in this draft class, meaning he might be able to contribute relatively early in his NBA career.”

Winston isn’t the only Spartan in the two-round mock. Xavier Tillman Sr., who announced his intention to stay in the draft at the beginning of August, is mocked to the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 40 overall. If that were to come to fruition Tillman would join back up with former MSU teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. to form a formidable defensive front court.

The NBA Draft is set for October 16.

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Michigan State star Xavier Tillman to stay in the NBA Draft

Tillman leaves Michigan State with one year of eligibility left.

Xavier Tillman Sr.’s illustrious Michigan State basketball career is over.

Tillman posted a video on Twitter with the caption “Forever Grateful,” and the video ended with NBA Draft insignia appearing to signal the end of his time in green and white. (Unless the Celtics draft him).

Tillman later posted an official statement on Instagram thanking the fans, his teammates and coaches.

View this post on Instagram

Forever Grateful 💚 💚 💚

A post shared by Xavier Tillman Sr. (@xavier_tillman23) on

Tillman helped lead Michigan State to three straight Big Ten titles during his time in East Lansing. His emergence in 2019 helped spring the team to a memorable Final Four run, complete with a win over Duke in the Elite Eight.

Tillman averaged 13.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 3 assists during his junior season which saw him be named second-team All-Big Ten and win Defensive Player of the Year in the conference.

Tillman’s draft stock is varied with most projections having him land anywhere between picks No. 20 and No. 45.

Earlier Sunday Michigan State sophomore Aaron Henry announced he would be returning to MSU for his junior season.

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