Xavier Tillman Bio
Xavier Justis Tillman Sr. (born January 12, 1999) is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A power forward and center standing 6 feet 8 inches tall, he earned the nickname “The Till” during a journey that took him from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Michigan State University, and onto NBA title contention.
Selected 35th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings, Tillman was traded on draft night to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he spent nearly four seasons. He later helped the Boston Celtics capture the 2024 NBA Championship before being dealt to the Charlotte Hornets in February 2026.
Early Life and Background
Xavier Justis Tillman Sr. was born on January 12, 1999, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Roosevelt Tillman and Tanya Powell-May. His mother played four years of college basketball for the University of Michigan, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior in 1990 and finishing as the program’s all-time rebounding leader.
His parents divorced in 2010 and shared physical and legal custody of their children. Tillman has three older brothers, R.J., Ben, and Parker, and a younger sister, Madisyn. Growing up, he played baseball, soccer, football, and basketball, but preferred football and basketball. By age 14, he already stood 6 feet 5 inches tall.
During his youth, Tillman played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball for the Grand Rapids Storm. He attended Forest Hills Central High School in Grand Rapids, where his father supported his athletic development, before later transferring to Grand Rapids Christian High School in the summer of 2015, citing a desire to refocus academically.
Path to Professional Basketball
Tillman emerged as a consensus four-star recruit and was rated the top prospect in Michigan by 247Sports. On September 30, 2016, he verbally committed to Michigan State over Marquette and Purdue, citing the program’s tough schedule and proximity to home.
As a senior at Grand Rapids Christian, Tillman averaged 13.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 4.2 blocks per game, guiding his team to a Class A state championship game appearance. He was named a finalist for the Mr. Basketball of Michigan award and earned Associated Press Class A First-Team All-State accolades.
His commitment to the Spartans set the stage for a three-year college career during which he transformed his body, dropping from 276 pounds as a freshman to under 250 pounds by his sophomore season. That conditioning work laid the foundation for the accolades that followed.
Xavier Tillman Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Tillman made his Michigan State debut on November 10, 2017, recording four points and three rebounds in a 98–66 win over North Florida. He finished his freshman year averaging 2.8 points and 2.6 rebounds across 35 games, earning the team’s Most Improved Player award while sharing its Unsung Player award.
As a sophomore, he posted a career-high 19 points and 10 rebounds in a 71–60 win over Rutgers and matched that scoring total with 19 points and nine rebounds in an Elite Eight upset of top-seeded Duke in the 2019 NCAA Tournament. At the close of the regular season, Tillman was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year.
Big Ten Stardom (2019–2020)
Tillman’s junior season represented his most complete college campaign. On November 18, 2019, he scored a career-high 21 points with 10 rebounds in a 94–46 win against Charleston Southern. He later added 20 points, 11 rebounds, and a career-high six blocks in an 87–69 win over Michigan on January 5, 2020.
On February 11, 2020, Tillman had 17 points and 11 rebounds and made a game-winning putback dunk with 6.6 seconds left in a 70–69 victory at Illinois. He closed the regular season by scoring 23 points with 15 rebounds in a 79–71 win over Penn State on March 3, 2020.
Those performances earned him Second Team All-Big Ten honors and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award, as he averaged 13.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game as a junior. Following the season, he declared for the 2020 NBA Draft and remained in it.
Memphis Grizzlies Era (2020–2024)
Tillman signed his rookie scale contract with the Memphis Grizzlies on November 28, 2020. On April 20, 2021, he set career highs of 18 points and 14 rebounds in a 137–139 double-overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets, signaling his readiness for expanded minutes.
During the 2021–22 season, Tillman posted 11 points, seven rebounds, and three steals in a play-in win over the Golden State Warriors, helping Memphis reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017. In the first round, he made his playoff debut on May 23, 2021, helping the Grizzlies take a 112–109 game-one win over the Utah Jazz before Memphis fell in five games.
On March 24, 2022, Tillman scored a season-high 16 points in a 133–103 win over the Indiana Pacers, and he later added 13 points and seven rebounds in a 124–96 game-two victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2022 playoffs. On April 20, 2023, he scored a playoff-high 22 points with 13 rebounds and no turnovers in a 103–93 postseason win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Boston Celtics Era (2024–2026)
On February 7, 2024, Tillman was traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Lamar Stevens and two second-round picks. He appeared in 20 games (including two starts) for Boston down the stretch, averaging 4.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assist, before helping the Celtics capture the 2024 NBA Championship over the Dallas Mavericks.
On July 2, 2024, Tillman re-signed with the Celtics on a two-year, $4.8 million contract. He played 33 games (including two starts) during the 2024–25 season, averaging 1.0 point, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.2 assists, and appeared in 14 games (starting one) during the 2025–26 season, with averages of 2.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.4 assists.
Charlotte Hornets Era (2026–Present)
On February 5, 2026, Tillman was traded, along with cash considerations, to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for a 2030 second-round pick. The move positioned him on a rebuilding roster looking for veteran frontcourt depth.
Driving Style and Strengths
Tillman is widely regarded as a defense-first forward whose strengths include positioning, rebounding, and rim protection. His conditioning overhaul at Michigan State unlocked the quickness needed to defend on the perimeter, while his high basketball IQ allows him to function as a connective passer in halfcourt sets.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Tillman’s game-winning putback dunk at Illinois in 2020 and his 22-point, 13-rebound playoff performance against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023 stand out. His most defining milestone remains helping the Boston Celtics win the 2024 NBA Finals.
Xavier Tillman Career Wins
Xavier Tillman has compiled a steady resume of wins across high school, college, and professional basketball. His championship pedigree was cemented in 2024 when he helped the Boston Celtics claim the NBA title.
NBA Highlights
Tillman won his first NBA Championship in 2024 as a member of the Boston Celtics, who defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games. During his four seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, he played a supporting role on teams that reached the playoffs in multiple seasons and advanced past the first round in 2022.
Other Wins and Performances
In college, Tillman helped Michigan State reach the 2019 NCAA Tournament Final Four and win conference and district titles at Grand Rapids Christian during his junior year. He also led Forest Hills Central to a 23–1 record and a regional semifinal as a sophomore, and his senior squad reached the Class A state championship game.
Xavier Tillman Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Tillman is the son of Roosevelt Tillman and Tanya Powell-May. His mother, Tanya Powell-May, played four years of college basketball at the University of Michigan, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors in 1990 and finishing as the program’s all-time rebounding leader.
His parents divorced in 2010 and shared custody of Xavier and his siblings. The family environment was steeped in athletics, with his brothers R.J., Ben, and Parker also competing in sports during their school years.
Personal Life
Tillman is married to Tamia Tillman. The couple has a daughter, Ayanna Tillman, born in December 2016, a son, Xavier Jr., born on February 17, 2020, and a daughter, Leilani, born on March 6, 2022. During his time at Michigan State, the family lived in on-campus family housing.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2024–25 NBA season, Tillman appeared in 33 games for the Boston Celtics, including two starts, averaging 1.0 point, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.2 assists. His role remained primarily that of a defensive reserve providing frontcourt depth behind the Celtics’ starting big men.
He continued that reserve role into the early portion of the 2025–26 season, playing 14 games (starting one) and recording 2.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per contest before being dealt to the Charlotte Hornets on February 5, 2026. The move opened a fresh chapter in his career as he joined a young Charlotte roster.
Across his time in Boston, Tillman contributed to a winning culture that prioritized ball movement and defensive versatility. His veteran presence and championship experience positioned him as a steady locker-room influence during the regular season.
