Not seen on a floor since March 2022, Killian Tillie (2m11, 25 years old) is getting closer to a comeback after several physical problems which have put obstacles in his way in recent years.
After having effectively managed to transform his “two-way contract” into a standard two-year contract in January 2022, the former Gonzaga accumulated injuries at the worst times. He was initially cut by the Grizzlies before the start of the season last season after back surgery that took Killian Tillie a long time to recover from.
And then, last summer, when he was going to play the summer league with the Sixers, after numerous trials for three weeks between July and August, he was again struck by a hamstring injury during a workout with the Thunder.
Finally, before the 2023 training camp, to injure himself again, this time to his ankle, but still linked to the same weakness in his back…
“I injured the tendon on the side of my ankle. As a result, I couldn't do the training camp. Just before the season, it was really a blow, a blow to morale, since I was really looking forward to playing again,” he confides on BeBasket. “It was really complicated, but hey, I had surgery, I continue my rehabilitation, I continue to not give up, to try to keep my head up, even if as I said it is very hard mentally . »
Between Spokane and Cagnes-sur-Mer
Currently based between Spokane, where he is accustomed after his four years with the Bulldogs, and the Côte d'Azur, where he grew up, Killian Tillie has not lost sight of his American objective.
“My goal is to come back to the NBA. I know I have the level, the teams know I have the level. That's always my goal. Afterwards, it's been a long time since I played. My only goal is to play again. I just want to go somewhere where I will have minutes and I can regain confidence, have fun playing. And if the NBA does not work, a return to Europe is of course possible. »
Without setting a mandatory return date, he allows himself to play this season. If he finds the right shoe for him.
Stronger than when he arrived in the League, Killian Tillie will simply have to hope that another NBA franchise offers him an opportunity to prove that he can hold out physically over time.
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
