Xavier Tillman ‘Very Excited’ for What’s to Come: “This is What You Hope For’

Xavier Tillman will be rejoining the Boston Celtics for the 2024-2025 season. The 25-year-old center signed a two-year contract with the franchise during free agency. 

Per Boston Celtics On SI, Tillman reflected on his decision to remain in Boston.

“Well, you got to do your due diligence,” said Tillman. “You got to see what other teams are offering, and all that stuff like that. But once you get all the offers in, if they're not comparing to where you want to be at, then you just go ahead and do what you do.”  

With Kristaps Porzingis expected to be sidelined until December, Tillman anticipates taking on a bigger role within the rotation. 

“It'll probably be me, Al, Luke, and Neem kind of just cycling in,” Tillman said. “And you know Al, he's probably not playing any back-to-backs. So for us, just figuring out what we can best assess.” 

“I'm very excited. Very excited,” Tillman said. “This is what you hope for. To be able to get an opportunity. So for me, it's all about being healthy. You can have the opportunity, but if you're not healthy then, you know what I'm saying? So, for me, I just want to make sure I'm stretching, geting in an ice bath, eating right, so that when it's my turn to go in, I'm ready, I feel great, and I'm ready to go.”  

Tillman has grown comfortable with his situation in Boston. 

“We talked about it yesterday at Jrue [Holiday]'s house. We're very, very comfortable. Like very, very comfortable,” Tillman said. “And at first, when I got here, because I was finishing up my contract, I didn't know how it was all going to pan out for me.”

 “But now, as far as the city and everything, I feel like I know all the streets. I know where I'm going. I know about them crazy potholes and stuff like that. Like I'm good. I feel like, slowly but surely, I'm becoming part of the city. So, I love it.”