2020 2nd Round Draft Pick(s)

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Killian Tillie has become so ingrained in my mind as our 2nd round pick I'll be shocked if it doesn't happen.

His combo of size and skill, his passing and shooting ability, his bball IQ, his motor and physicality, hustle and team oriented style of play. International player to Gonzaga, coached by Mark Few, 3 year teammate of Hachimura. He's a guy who can come in NBA ready day 1, and fit in perfectly on this team.

The only reason he's a 2nd rounder (if he is) is because of his injury history and inability to stay healthy, largely due to the way he plays. But the 2nd round is when you can take a chance on a player like that. Get him in with professional trainers and a full time nutrition and workout program, and it could be a big time payoff 2nd round steal!

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[nate33]

I bet Xavier Tillman stays for his senior year unless he has a killer tourney and there is solid interest in him as a first rounder. He will take the final year to smooth out his three ball, lead the team, and get his degree which seems to be a drive of his. If that's the case whoever gets him will land a solid pro, quickly productive. Attitude-wise he's a perfect fit for the basketball 'family' that Tommy is trying to build.

I wish we could pull off a Red Auerbach move like what he did with Bird. Draft Tillman this year with the 2nd round pick, let him play his senior year in college, and then bring him on the roster in 2021.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I bet Xavier Tillman stays for his senior year unless he has a killer tourney and there is solid interest in him as a first rounder. He will take the final year to smooth out his three ball, lead the team, and get his degree which seems to be a drive of his. If that's the case whoever gets him will land a solid pro, quickly productive. Attitude-wise he's a perfect fit for the basketball 'family' that Tommy is trying to build.

I wish we could pull off a Red Auerbach move like what he did with Bird. Draft Tillman this year with the 2nd round pick, let him play his senior year in college, and then bring him on the roster in 2021.

I don’t know, Tillman has a wife, a kid and another on the way. I’d imagine he’s anxious to get out of that college housing, plus start making some dough.

Tillie is my personal favorite for round 2, but I’d also be quite happy with Tillman, or Reed. All 3 are guys I think can come in and contribute right away.

[doclinkin]

I bet Xavier Tillman stays for his senior year unless he has a killer tourney and there is solid interest in him as a first rounder. He will take the final year to smooth out his three ball, lead the team, and get his degree which seems to be a drive of his. If that's the case whoever gets him will land a solid pro, quickly productive. Attitude-wise he's a perfect fit for the basketball 'family' that Tommy is trying to build.

I wish we could pull off a Red Auerbach move like what he did with Bird. Draft Tillman this year with the 2nd round pick, let him play his senior year in college, and then bring him on the roster in 2021.

I don’t know, Tillman has a wife, a kid and another on the way. I’d imagine he’s anxious to get out of that college housing, plus start making some dough.

Tillie is my personal favorite for round 2, but I’d also be quite happy with Tillman, or Reed. All 3 are guys I think can come in and contribute right away.

Ordinarily I'd say so. But Tillman is a different breed of cat. And he is in a unique situation in Sparty, where they have minimized all distractions to make space for him on campus. First and foremost he is a family man. Playing in the NBA means many nights away from family. In interviews he has made it clear: this guy clearly loves coming home and parenting and changing diapers and doing chores and taking care of his girl. He is also a single-minded individual who focuses precisely on whatever he is doing when he is doing it. If he is in class he doesn't pay attention to texts or calls from family, when he is on court or in practice he devotes himself 100% to that, when he is at home he doesn't think about anything else but family time. A guy like that is not really looking ahead to the NBA game. He is dealing with today. Right now. The NBA will be his focus when it's time comes.

There's also the culture: Izzo's players tend to stay longer than other NBA talents. Something about Sparty nation or really Izzo himself means that they focus on a selfless sort of game that involves teammates and playing their roles and working for the win. It's the reason they advance deep into the Tourney every year and beat more talented teams: they play the game the right way, no ego, just gritty hard work. They're tough and smart. This may speak to the sort of players Izzo recruits, or the program itself, but if you don't plan to stay in college more than one year you don't pick Michigan State. His gladiator school makes NBA players out of second tier talents.

Tillman could have come out last year and gotten 2nd round money. He had a hellova tournament, and shut down Zion. Teams like the SPurs or GSW would have been happy to draft him late. IF he was going to go 2nd round then why not then? HIs team this year is struggling. His stock may slip even if his play has only improved. I suspect he'd bet on himself to earn more money next year, in the final year before baby ballers are let into the league again.

If however he has a tourney that puts his name in first round mocks, okay. Izzo has made it clear if his players have guaranteed money waiting he has no problem recommending they jump to the bigs.

Anyway. I'm dialed in on Tillman only because I like his grown man effect on court and his grown man affect off court. He would be a good teammate and easy guy to root for. I see him as a basketball lifer. Whether journeyman or roleplaying fixture on a winning team, he may not have the upside of many, but still, upside to me is always secondary to whether or not they love hard work and are willing to battle to win. Anyway. He's among my top picks this year, even with a late 1st rounder.

[payitforward]

One of the biggest risers of late is Devin Vassell (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/devin-vassell-1.html). Really good frame and is just really really long with great athleticism. The numbers do look good especially the percentages (51%, 44%, 75%). Definitely wouldn't mind him in the second round.

Another killer find -- you guys are really looking good this year!!

On the numbers, this kid is a lottery pick.

... & nbadraftroom now mocks him at #14....

[payitforward]

I wish we could pull off a Red Auerbach move like what he did with Bird. Draft Tillman this year with the 2nd round pick, let him play his senior year in college, and then bring him on the roster in 2021.

I don’t know, Tillman has a wife, a kid and another on the way. I’d imagine he’s anxious to get out of that college housing, plus start making some dough.

Tillie is my personal favorite for round 2, but I’d also be quite happy with Tillman, or Reed. All 3 are guys I think can come in and contribute right away.

Ordinarily I'd say so. But Tillman is a different breed of cat. And he is in a uniue situation in Sparty, where they have minimized all distractions to make space for him on campus. First and foremost he is a family man. Playing in the NBA means many nights away from family. In interviews he has made it clear: this guy clearly loves coming home and parenting and changing diapers and doing chores and taking care of his girl. He is also a single-minded individual who focuses precisely on whatever he is doing when he is doing it. If he is in class he doesn't pay attention to texts or calls from family, when he is on court or in practice he devotes himself 100% to that, when he is at home he doesn't think about anything else but family time. A guy like that is not really looking ahead to the NBA game. He is dealing with today. Right now. The NBA will be his focus when it's time comes.

There's also the culture: Izzo's players tend to stay longer than other NBA talents. Something about Sparty nation or really Izzo himself means that they focus on a selfless sort of game that involves teammates and playing their roles and working for the win. It's the reason they advance deep into the Tourney every year and beat more talented teams: they play the game the right way, no ego, just gritty hard work. They're tough and smart. This may speak to the sort of players Izzo recruits, or the program itself, but if you don't plan to stay in college more than one year you don't pick Michigan State. His gladiator school makes NBA players out of second tier talents.

Tillman could have come out last year and gotten 2nd round money. He had a hellova tournament, and shut down Zion. Teams like the SPurs or GSW would have been happy to draft him late. IF he was going to go 2nd round then why not then? HIs team this year is struggling. His stock may slip even if his play has only improved. I suspect he'd bet on himself to earn more money next year, in the final year before baby ballers are let into the league again.

If however he has a tourney that puts his name in first round mocks, okay. Izzo has made it clear if his players have guaranteed money waiting he has no problem recommending they jump to the bigs.

Anyway. I'm dialed in on Tillman only because I like his grown man effect on court and his gran man affect off court. He would be a good teammate and easy guy to root for. I see him as a basketball lifer. Whether journeyman or roleplaying fixture on a winning team, he may not have the upside of many, but still, upside to me is always secondary to whether or not they love hard work and are willing to battle to win. Anyway. He's among my top picks this year, even with a late 1st rounder.

Thanks for this stuff, doc. Sounds like a terrific young man!

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I don't know where he's going to get drafted but anything after the 7th or 8th pick in the draft you'll be happy with Jaylon Smith as far as I'm concerned. I said it a month ago and now I feel the same way. He's worth a lottery pick.

The past two games he has looked like a lottery selection player.

Sent from my SM-A205U using RealGM mobile app

Sent from my SM-A205U using RealGM mobile app

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

True Confession I still haven't watched Killian Tillie or Gonzaga all season. They're on my radar as well Siri



For those of you who do not know me from time to time I will talk into my cell phone and not even bother to edible with editing. That time I just repeated myself because I said editing but for some reason it thought I said that'll all

No I have not been drinking but it is very late at night and I will edit this tomorrow.

Agree -- in fact, I'd be surprised if he wasn't on his radar!

Doesn't mean we'll pick him of course (& he might be gone for that matter).

International... ah! je viens de decouvrir qu'il est Français! Je n'ai pas connu!

Sent from my SM-A205U using RealGM mobile app

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Good Lord great minds think alike. I just thought to myself Anthony Cowan looks like an NBA player as well.

Any interest in Anthony Cowan Jr.? He could go undrafted.

Sent from my SM-A205U using RealGM mobile app

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Draft him why not?

If he makes it as a player I want to trademark the expression Dante's Inferno. If he becomes a really good player you can say someone got cooked in Dante's Inferno.

Looking at current 2nd round projections, some guys on my radar...


N'Faly Dante

C - HT: 7-0 - WT: 249 - WING: 7-5 1/2 - FROM: Oregon (Mali) - Fr.

NBA Draft Room:

He's got elite length, great mobility and surprising quickness for his size. He has a chance to be a special defender who also has some upside on the offensive end.

Overview

An elite center prospect who projects as one of the best shot blockers to come through the high school ranks in years. Raw but with huge upside, especially on the defensive end.

Strengths
Dante has truly elite physical tools at this stage in his development. Already pushing 7 feet tall, with a massive wingspan and good coordination and strength, he has a chance to become a special defensive talent. He goes after every shot around the rim and is an intimidating force who causes opponents to think twice before entering the lane.

Although Dante isn't a polished offensive player he does have good hands and shows good timing on the offensive glass. He takes the ball hard to the rim and uses his impressive reach to get way above the rim with his dunks.

Has decent handles and can handle in the open court if he needs to. Shows some touch from mid range with a decent looking stroke.

His post game consists mostly of strong moves to the rim, including a power dribble and drop step move. He also has a nice right hand flip hook that he shoots with great height, making it nearly impossible to block.

Has good mobility and changes ends well. Can make plays in transition, showing off his coordination and great length.

Comparisons
He shows flashes that remind of Joel Embiid...but it's too early to tell if he'll ever reach that level.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Isaiah Joe

SG - HT: 6-5 - WT: 170 - WING: NA - FROM: Arkansas - So.

NBA Draft Room:

One of the best shooters in college basketball, with impressive length as well. Doesn't need much space to get his shot.

Isaiah Joe is one of the best three point shooters in the land. He's got a quick, pure release and a shooters mentality. In some ways he reminds of Anfernee Simons with his long, wiry frame and deep shooting ability.

Comparisons
Anfernee Simons

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Killian Tillie

PF - HT: 6-10 - WT: 230 -WING: NA - FROM: Gonzaga (France) - Sr.

NBA Draft Room:

A versatile forward who can stretch the floor and has good mobility for his size.

Tillie is a stretch-four with a silky smooth release. He's got the height to shoot over the defense and is deadly accurate from downtown. He's got touch around the rim and works hard on the glass.


Comparisons
poor man's Danilo

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Sent from my SM-A205U using RealGM mobile app

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I'm just now catching up on reading this I'll have to check out Isaiah Joe.

Sent from my SM-A205U using RealGM mobile app

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

If those guys on Iowa can whoop Maryland's ass there are quality players on that team. Nobody even talks about their C Luka Garza.

Without knowing his name I already thought one of their guards what Iowa is a handful to deal with. He must be the very same guy you're talking about.

A player who I was impressed with in both of Iowa's games against MD was Joe Wieskamp. Call me crazy... but he reminds me of Tyler Herro - yes, that's a lazy comp, but he does. I'm surprised he averages less than 2 assists a game, because he made some nice passes. Definitely can shoot and handled the ball pretty well. Not quite as strong or athletic as Herro.

Sent from my SM-A205U using RealGM mobile app

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Michael Cooper that used to play with the Lakers many years ago... I don't know if Vassell compares to that type of player but he seems like a pesky rangy guy who will be able to play.

One of the biggest risers of late is Devin Vassell (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/devin-vassell-1.html). Really good frame and is just really really long with great athleticism. The numbers do look good especially the percentages (51%, 44%, 75%). Definitely wouldn't mind him in the second round.

Sent from my SM-A205U using RealGM mobile app

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

This guy I am familiar with. He plays on Indiana but he reminds me of a young Kris Humphries with Minnesota. And watching him operate in the paint is a thing of beauty. Trayce Jackson Davis is big and muscular kind of like Zion Williamson seems like his body is already ready even though he's very young. Definitely puts the power power in power forward and he's got post moves that are unbelievable but his defensive instincts are not quite there yet but they will be.

I'll even add Trayce Jackson-Davis (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/trayce-jackson-davis-1.html) from Indiana. Looks like he can become a good rim runner in the NBA being so long and athletic. What impresses me more is his lateral quickness and being able to switch onto guards. Also gets a good amount of rebounds (especially offensive) per game.

Watch on YouTube

Sent from my SM-A205U using RealGM mobile app

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I think he's a first-round talent.

I know Carlos Boozer went late in the draft and guys like Lonny Baxter only have a cup of coffee in the league....but TJD IMO has a skill set like old school big men.

Tristan Thompson went #4 overall IIRC.

TJD can ball.

I'll even add Trayce Jackson-Davis (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/trayce-jackson-davis-1.html) from Indiana. Looks like he can become a good rim runner in the NBA being so long and athletic. What impresses me more is his lateral quickness and being able to switch onto guards. Also gets a good amount of rebounds (especially offensive) per game.

Watch on YouTube

We were just talking about Tristan Thompson in the trade thread, and that's who TJD reminds me of. He fits in that archetype - as the kids call it. Yeah, he'd be a nice value in the 2nd round. He might want to stay in college another year and try to develop a jump shot - so he can be a 1st rounder.

Sent from my SM-A205U using RealGM mobile app

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

From what I can tell I can see that

Someone might have compared Vassell to Danny Green on the first page - not sure who.

Sent from my SM-A205U using RealGM mobile app

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Him, too...

Covington in particular is a guy that I was talking about maybe trading Otto Porter and just rolling with Covington because I recall how much he was tearing up the D-League before becoming a success in the NBA. I also know from memory that he's about three years older than Porter but I was thinking how much cheaper over contract would he be assigned to? Four years down the road Houston makes a trade to get the guy back

Just saw Vassell in person in Cville. Was sitting two rows from the court. Vassell does look legit. Good frame, solid skills... scored pretty well against an inspired and outright scary UVA defense.

Could have a little Robert Covington in him.

Sent from my SM-A205U using RealGM mobile app

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Another trend...

If you look at a player who transfers schools consider Brandon Clarke. The he took the long road of going to I believe San Jose State before he played for Gonzaga. He is arguably a better pro and more NBA ready than Rui Hachimura .

Maybe Jalen Harris can be like Jalen Hurts in football.... transfer schools take the long route but actually be a much more prepared player to excel at the next level. That's a trend that I'm mindful of that is just the opposite of drafting one-and-done and high school type Talent straight into the NBA.

For whatever reason when I talk into my cell phone it capitalizes the word talent so that must be memorized in my phone as a capital T doesn't make any sense to me.

Honestly, I've never heard of this guy before https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/jalen-harris-2.html - Jalen Harris, but his stats are very compelling - and he's a 6'5 195 lb combo guard. He sat out last season as a transfer. Interestingly (ok - maybe not), there's another Jalen Harris - on Arkansas - who also sat out a year transferring and is also a Junior.

Nevada Jalen seems to be a bit of a gunner, but he really fills up the box score. I can't even find a scouting report on him.

Sent from my SM-A205U using RealGM mobile app

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

In my opinion Tillman is like a 29 to 35 caliber player who you'll be lucky that might even go undrafted. If he weren't at Michigan State... who knows that he would be on everybody's radar the way he is? He can obviously play

...Xavier Tillman...

...I've been on Xavier Tillman since last year, and now he has added playmaking and a three point shot to his skills list. ...

This is a really interesting player to think about. We've got 2000 minutes of college ball to look at, & he's put up good numbers all the way along. Like doc, I am impressed by his assist numbers this year.

Currently, NBA Draftroom has him at #49 in R2; I think that would make him a high-value pick -- IOW, I wouldn't take him as high as #37 (where the Bulls pick might put us...), but, I'd be tempted to buy another pick to land him.

Sent from my SM-A205U using RealGM mobile app

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Hey doctor I wonder how you would compare Xavier Tillman to the Big Man on Ohio State I believe his name is Keith Wesson?

...I've been on Xavier Tillman since last year, and now he has added playmaking and a three point shot to his skills list. ...

This is a really interesting player to think about. We've got 2000 minutes of college ball to look at, & he's put up good numbers all the way along. Like doc, I am impressed by his assist numbers this year.

Currently, NBA Draftroom has him at #49 in R2; I think that would make him a high-value pick -- IOW, I wouldn't take him as high as #37 (where the Bulls pick might put us...), but, I'd be tempted to buy another pick to land him.

Tom Izzo trains good pros. Skill sets developed as a Spartan tend to translate at the next level. Tillman this year has been asked to be a playmaker out of the high pick and roll, setting the pick then taking the pass whether he rolls or pops to the three point line. From that position he either takes the open jumper, or rolls and when the defense collapses he commonly finds a teammate for an open corner three. This is why his three point game and assist game have been developing.

As usual his defense is stellar, he plays smart positional defense. Defense traditionally is one of the skills that takes a while to translate at the next level. MSU players seem to get it quicker than other rookies, in part because Izzo recruits second tier talents who stay longer in his program and develop fundamental skills before are earning a paycheck at the next level. Doesn't matter where you draft them, Izzo's best players will tend to give you good value for the pick.

Sent from my SM-A205U using RealGM mobile app