By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After remaining available for Cholet in the FIBA Europe Cup semifinals, Kim Tillie will be operated on to remove a testicular tumor and sidelined indefinitely.
The French club updated the health status of Tillie on Monday noting that he will stay with the team until 5 April.
Tillie, 34, is expected to play against Kalev/Cramo Wednesday and possibly in the second half of the two-game series in La Meilleraie next week. The advancing side will take on Anwil Wloclawek or Karhu in a two-game series to determine the next champion of the FIBA Europe Cup, FIBA’s second-tier club continental competition of Europe behind the Basketball Champions League.
The experienced forward/center averaged 4.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per game over 16 appearances in helping Cholet reach the FIBA Europe Cup semifinals. In France’s Betclic Elite LNB Pro A, he has 4.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest with his side currently sitting third in the standings behind AS Monaco and Metropolitans 92 with a 16-9 record.
The veteran of 124 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games, also of 30 appearances in 7DAYS EuroCup, represented France in the 2016 Olympic Games and contributed to the run to bronze medals in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
Tillie spent four years with Utah in the NCAA and launched his pro career in 2010 back in Europe. His younger brother, Killian played for Gonzaga and made his way to 54 NBA games with the Memphis Grizzlies between the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL