Four-Star Forward Xavier Tillman Talks Irish, In-Home Visit
In Notre Dame’s two losses to North Carolina this season, the Irish gave up a combined 32 offensive rebounds.
Part of those struggles were due to facing a massive Tar Heels frontcourt, including 6-10, 230-pound forward Brice Johnson and 6-10, 260-pound forward Kennedy Meeks.
The Irish hope they’ve maybe found their own, slightly shorter version of Meeks in 6-8, 260-pound junior Xavier Tillman.
A four-star forward in the class of 2017, Tillman has already visited the South Bend campus twice, including Oct. 15, 2015 for the Navy football game and March 5 for the Irish’s 89-75 hoops win over N.C. State.
“Notre Dame is a good program,” Tillman said. “They went to the Elite Eight a couple times recently. They’ve shown they know how to win, and against the big teams like the Duke’s and North Carolina’s.
“The coaches let the players play. They let them make mistakes, and then make plays. It’s a lot of freedom.
“It makes it so there’s no pressure on me. If I make a mistake I can move on.”
Assistant coach Rod Balanis went in-home with Tillman on April 20, and the Irish maintained a heavy presence at his games with Spiece Indy Heat on Nike’s EYBL circuit in Brooklyn and Indianapolis in April.
“It was nice,” Tillman said of Balanis’ visit. “He’s a good guy.
“He went to DeMatha High School. He tells me about his history beause he wants to build a relationship, even if I decide not to go there. He said what he liked about my game; he liked my leadership and how vocal I was. Just the intangibles.
“It was cool because he said how I could really fit in their system, and how they’d run a lot of the offense through me. I’m not definite on a position, but I think [Zach] Auguste who just came through there, I think I’d play his position.”
Head coach Mike Brey specifically watched at least one of Tillman’s games in Brooklyn and Indianapolis. The junior forward is averaging 11.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 20.3 minutes per contest through seven games for Spiece Indy Heat, converting 31 of his 45 field goal attempts (68.9 percent).
“I appreciate it to see Coach Brey out there,” Tillman said. “It shows their interest.”
“He’s a real relaxed guy. He has confidence in himself and knows what he’s doing. He’s a real cool guy.”
In addition to the Irish, Tillman has early offers from Michigan State, NC State and Xavier among several others. He noted Marquette, Purdue and Michigan State are regularly in contact.
“My recruiting is open to any college right now who shows interest,” he said. “No visits coming anytime soon, but in June I may go see some places.
“In the fall after all the EYBL games are over, that’s when I’ll really start focusing on everything. I’ll look for high energy all the time, and teams that like to run.
“Also it has to be a family; everybody has to love each other.”
Tillman transferred to Grand Rapids Christian for his junior season, helping his prep squad finish with a 22-3 overall record. They fell 64-53 to Muskegon in a MHSAA regional playoff game.