MBB Recruiting: 2017 SF Donnie Tillman (formerly of Cass Tech) getting serious Michigan interest
Normally, receiving interest from Michigan isn't quite board-worthy. However, frequent poster mattD (endlessmotor.net) reported that Tillman is now getting serious interest from the coaches. I'm sure this makes him happy as he is a big fan of Tillman's game and, IIRC, Tillman has been wanting to hear from Michigan for some time now. The 6'7" Findlay Prep forward ended up in Nevada via Detroit Cass Tech, so he local ties. He had a great showing at the NBPA Top 100 camp recently, adding to a solid summer overall. He's a generic three star for the time being, but that seems likely to change when rankings are re-evaluated in the coming months.
I have watched almost no film on him, but from what I've read he has a great motor and simply produces. Not the flashiest player out there, but punches above his weight when it comes to rebounding, has a knack for scoring in a variety of ways, and is a solid defender. Wouldn't mind a Michigan-version of Kawhi Leonard.
Talk about ramping up recruiting this summer! Beilein is hitting the recruiting trail hard.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
and Stanford is now in the BIG????? or more day drinking?
And my eyes are still burning from "The Furd".
THE FURRRD
Looking forward to JB's recruiting haul.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
at the PF spot for 17. I've watched a ton of Donnie and Kyle Young live this Spring, and I think Donnie has more talent and is more versatile to be honest. There just aren't many kids at a legit 6'7 and 225 that can handle like a guard with elite vision for a 4, have relentless motor attacking the glass, with good verticality, and elite strength, all with a college ready body. The kid has Draymond Green written all over him. His rankings are absurd for the most part, but Future 150 put him at #88 in their updated rankings.
Here's some recent film - really impressive stuff from a kid 6'7 and 225
http://www.courtsidefilms.com/news_article/show/657571?referrer_id=1156… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foynLtRSOEw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kew3STjFcA
Having talked with Tillman, how would you assess his interest in Michigan at this point? Saddi Washington the contact guy on this recruitment?
if UM continues to show legit interest, no doubt about it. Donnie is an excellent student, a really well-spoken kid, and fits UM culture to perfection. Interestingly enough, JB is the lead contact with Donnie. Tillman isn't the traditional 4 that JB usually pursues, but his skillset and versatility is just too good to ignore. He's the type of 4 we need that gives you playmaking ability, while being strong enough and athletic enough to be a sufficient post defender and rebounder. Donnie largely avoided a jump in the rankings until now becuase he was hurt for almost his entire HS season, so he's just now getting exposure.
Given he pursued Smotrycz, GR3, Jaylen Brown, Jesean Tate, TJ leaf, Bielfeldt, Wilson, Cain, Irvin..... I have no real idea what a 'traditional 4' is for Beilein.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
but how many PFs do you think could stick with him on the perimeter with that type of ballhandling ability. Alternatively, how many SFs do you think could effectively bother him in the post. That's why Donnie is so valuable, he's essentially a mismatch everywhere on the court vs. 85% of college basketball unless he's facing a Julius Randle type that is 6'7 with excellent lateral agility and strength.
He's not driving by someone like Zak Irvin or Miles Bridges, for instance, and isn't muscling up a Jae-Sean Tate or Brandon Dawson type either. If he loses some of the bad weight or turns it into muscle, that might be a different story.
I'm not saying he won't be a good player and I think it would be great to land him. I'm just saying he's gonna have to make some changes to either his body or game to be a Draymond Green type, like you're comparing him to.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
but I don't think Donnie would have much trouble getting separation. Zak is not a very good on-ball defender (and that may be generous), so I think that may be a bad example. Also think Donnie could body Tate rather easily, as Donnie's a good 3 inches and 20lbs heavier/stronger.
Donnie is chizzled, that is not bad weight, he just naturally has a thicker frame. I do agree with you on Dawson and Bridges - but you're losing sight of context. Notice I said 85% of college basketball. Dawson and Bridges are among the 15% with good lateral quickness while having excellent size and strength. Could you imagine Duncan Robinson trying to check Donnie on the perimter or post? He would have a field day, and the same thing with Irvin.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
Not to come off as offensive but did you see ever see Day-Day play in high school? While talented and versatile, he was no where near the athlete that he is today. This kid Tillman is extremely talented in a Draymond Green high school kind of way. Another guy that I liken his game to is, Nigel Hayes. Tillman however is much more skilled than Nigel was in high school.
I don't think matt D was making a comparison between Tillman and the high school version of Draymond Green, though. I read his comparison between the two as an idea of the kind of player he expects Tillman to be in college, since that's what's relevant to Michigan's recruitment of him.
Of course Green is a better athlete today than he was in high school. Tillman will be too, I'd imagine. That doesn't change the fact that right now his first step lacks explosiveness. I don't see how anyone could watch the highlight videos matt D posted and come away thinking that Tillman's first step is quick, so I don't really get the pushback on that.
You explicitly cited concerns about Tillman's ability to defend based on lack of first step explosion exhibited on film on the offensive side of the ball. My response to that would be that while athleticism and first step explosion certainy enter the equation on defense, Donnie has the one thing that matters more than both, motor. The kid just has non-stop energy and makes multiple efforts on the glass and defense in general. Draymond never, and still doesn't, have an exceptional first step. What he does have is nice ballhandling and change of direction, in addition to court vision, much like Draymond Green.
Proof of Donnie's ability to defend the wing is below - this is film of Donnie easily staying in front of Brandon Johns (top 30 type for 18) that I put together from April of this year in EYBL. This clip essentially displays all the characteristics I spoke of - Donnie blows rights past Jaren Jackson (an ELITE 4 prospect), bullies Jaren Jackson with ease, and stays in front of Brandon Johns and causes a TO. He's just so versatile that you can almost play him anywhere on the court. He's a basketball player, plain and simple.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72kCHmFtfqs
In college, Draymond Green was guarding 1-5. There's no way you're putting Tillman on a 1 or 2 defensively in college, and maybe not even on a 3. He can guard his position, that's fine. But that's what I mean: you're comparing him to Green. I'm saying he's a solid prospect, but not Green. You see him blowing by Jaren Jackson in that clip. I see Jackson funneling Tillman to the help defender, who blocks Tillman's shot at the rim.
At the end of the day, I doubt either one of us is going to change our mind. I think he's a good prospect and would be happy to land him. I guess we can agree to disagree on exactly what his ceiling in college is.
Did you watch the NBPA highlights? I felt similar to what you were saying before I watched it, but came away much more impressed. It is the most recent video, and both his body and game look totally reshaped. He was slicing by guys in a different way compared to his other highlight reels.
My take away is that the best assets he has going for him are his nose for the ball, court awareness, and timing. I was shocked how many times he dunked the ball when it didn't really look like he had the angle, or steps to do so. It seems to me that he just kind of knows where to go on the court to score and get the ball. I also think his shot, while not a strength yet, will develop nicely and be an asset in conjunction with the rest of his game.
Just read something about that on The Fort (Rivals). Some smoke about developments going on behind the scenes before White was officially released from his scholarship at Nebraska. Definitely not something that JB would be doing.
delete please