Utah Jazz: Kim Tillie has Euro deal, hopes to play in NBA

SALT LAKE CITY — A big Jazz fan, Kim Tillie harbors hopes of some day playing in the NBA.

For now, though, the University of Utah senior plans to start his career where it started.

At home, in France.

Tillie committed late last month to join ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne, a well-known French Pro A League team that played in the Euroleague — Europe's highest level of basketball — last season.

"I'm really excited to go there," he said.

"Right when the (Utes') season ended ... lot of teams from France contacted (his agent, Brad Ames)," Tillie added, "and I think ASVEL was the best opportunity for me to play and develop my game for years to come."

Tillie's contract with ASVEL — still unsigned — allows him to play with NBA summer-league teams both this offseason and next, and also to take part in workouts in advance of Thursday's NBA Draft.

The 6-foot-11 forward already has auditioned for Chicago and Milwaukee, and on Friday morning — in front of Jazz brass including coach Jerry Sloan and general manager Kevin O'Connor — he took part in a 1-on-1 workout against lottery-pick prospect Ed Davis of the University of North Carolina.

Tillie — born in Cagnes-sur-Mer, France, both his mother and father played Olympic and professional volleyball — called the three workouts "big, big tests, and nice experience to see where I'm at compared to these guys."

"It gave me lots of hopes for making it to the next level," said Tillie, who averaged 7.0 points and 5.5 rebounds last season and played in 98 games (making 52 starts) during his four years at Utah. "Maybe not this year, (but) maybe next year, or in two years, I think I can get there."

Tillie isn't expected to be taken in Tuesday's two-round draft, but he does hope to latch on with an NBA team for summer-league play next month in either Las Vegas or Orlando.

The Jazz will be represented in the Orlando Pro Summer League again this offseason.

NEXT UP: The Jazz will work out 10 more players today, mostly second-round hopefuls.

But the group is highlighted by Paul George, a 6-8 power forward from Fresno State who many expect will be a first-round selection and some project will be a possible late lottery pick.

Also among the 10 is University of Alabama-Birmingham shooting guard Elijah Millsap, a brother of Jazz backup power forward Paul Millsap.