Free agent center Xavier Tillman Sr., who finished the 2025/26 NBA season with the Hornets, is headed overseas, having signed with Trabzonspor, the Turkish team announced on Wednesday morning (via Twitter).
Tillman, 27, was drafted with the 35th overall pick in 2020 and spent his first three-and-a-half NBA seasons with the Grizzlies before being dealt to Boston at the 2024 trade deadline. He re-signed with the Celtics later that year and remained with the team until he was traded to Charlotte earlier this year in a cost-cutting move for a Boston team looking to duck the tax line.
While Tillman was a regular rotation player in Memphis, he has seen his playing time dwindle in recent years. In 2025/26, he averaged just 6.1 minutes per game in 30 total appearances for the Celtics and Hornets, contributing 1.5 points and 1.4 rebounds per night.
Tillman will be joining a Trabzonspor squad that posted a 19-11 record in the Turkish League (Basketbol Süper Ligi) this past season and is looking to take another step forward in 2026/27. He’s one a handful of NBA veterans who have joined the team this month — Trabzonspor also recently announced the additions of guard Shaquille Harrison and forward Emanuel Terry (Twitter links).
In addition to competing domestically, Trabzonspor has also qualified for the 2026/27 Basketball Champions League.
