From College to the OKC Thunder: Tilly on the NBA Draft, G League, and His Path to Pro Basketball

German basketball player Christoph Tilly is focused on the NBA G League for his first professional season following stints with Santa Clara and Ohio State, basketball-world reported.

The 2.13-meter center participated in the NBA Draft, Summer League, training camp, and preseason with the Oklahoma City Thunder before being assigned to their G League affiliate. Tilly said the transition from college basketball to professional systems required immediate adjustments to his role.

“In the Summer League it was more about showing your own skills: Be yourself, play aggressively and fit into the system,” Tilly told basketball-world.

Tilly entered the draft process after playing his junior season at Santa Clara University and transferring to Ohio State University for the Big Ten conference schedule. He spoke with roughly 12 or 13 universities during his transfer recruitment, with Ohio State, Illinois, and Texas making his final list.

During the pre-draft evaluation, NBA teams informed him that selection could have meant an immediate initial year playing in Europe.

“The chance existed actually,” Tilly told basketball-world regarding his draft prospects. “Probably it would have come down to me playing in Europe for at least a year first.”

During training camp and preseason games with Oklahoma City, Tilly focused on setting screens, defending pick-and-roll coverages, and securing rebounds alongside established veterans like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Hartenstein.

When final roster cuts occurred, the Thunder head coach informed Tilly that he performed well during camp but that the frontcourt rotation was firmly established. The franchise outlined a development plan centered on the G League’s 60-game schedule and physical style.

“He said that I did a very good job and that he was happy with me,” Tilly told basketball-world of his exit interview with the coaching staff. “At my position, however, the team has outstanding players.”

Looking ahead, Tilly maintains a long-term goal of playing a decade in the NBA before potentially returning to Europe. He also expressed a future desire to play alongside former youth teammates Elias Rapieque and Nils Machowski at ALBA Berlin, where his career began.

“At ALBA everything started for me,” Tilly told basketball-world. “What happens in the future, however, I never want to rule out.”

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