With just three days left until the new college basketball season tips off, we’re also down to our final three player profiles. This time, the spotlight is on Bryson Tiller — and no, not the rapper.
Once a five-star prospect in the class of 2025, the redshirt freshman reclassified to 2024, ultimately earning a four-star rating and ranking of No. 42 nationally by 247Sports.
Tiller joined Kansas during the 2024–25 season. He spent the latter half of last year with the team but has yet to make his official on-court debut as a Jayhawk.
The 6-foot-10 forward from Atlanta, Georgia, comes from an athletic family. His father, Tony Tiller, played professional football in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs (2004–05) and Atlanta Falcons (2009).
Tiller first drew attention as an eighth-grader playing for Atlanta Xpress, a U17-level AAU team.
As a freshman during the 2021–22 season, Tiller suited up for Atlanta’s Pace Academy, where he averaged 12.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.
Tiller made his first major splash as a basketball prospect when he signed with the City Reapers of the Overtime Elite league ahead of his sophomore year of high school, becoming the youngest player ever to join OTE. He chose to forgo his $100,000 salary to preserve his college eligibility.
During his first season with the City Reapers in 2022–23, Tiller posted 11.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, playing a key role in the talented team’s run to the 2023 OTE title.
In his second season with the City Reapers, Tiller elevated his game, averaging 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 blocks over 25 games. He earned All-OTE Second Team honors and once again helped his loaded squad capture the 2024 OTE championship.
A proven winner, Tiller joined the Jayhawks in January but spent time rehabbing a leg injury before getting back to full strength. Now cleared to play, he’s ready to make an impact for Bill Self's team. His performances in KU’s exhibition games highlighted his natural ability and hinted at the upside he brings to this roster.
Tiller boasts an impressive 7-foot-3 wingspan and remarkable versatility for his size. He’s not only an excellent rebounder but also a reliable defender, with the skill set and willingness to serve as a rim protector.
Tiller is highly skilled around the basket, displaying a level of comfort that is rare for most freshmen. He has a soft touch in the paint, which is beginning to extend toward the three-point line. He can handle the ball, score over defenders, and help maintain the flow of the offense.
While not projected to start, Tiller is expected to log meaningful minutes when starters like Tre White and Flory Bidunga need a breather. Primarily a power forward, he’ll also provide backup center support with Paul Mbiya and has the ability to step into a small forward role when needed.
On why he chose Kansas, Tiller explained, “I feel like Allen Fieldhouse is the best place to play in the world.”
Tiller clearly takes pride in the jersey he wears, and his track record shows that winning is his top priority. He appears to be an ideal fit for this team and possesses tremendous potential.
Could Bryson Tiller be this team’s hidden ace?
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