Karl Tilleman

Karl Tilleman
Personal information
Born November 1, 1960
Ogden, Utah
Nationality Canadian / American
Listed height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight 183 lb (83 kg)
Career information
High school Sir Winston Churchill
(Calgary, Alberta)
College Calgary (1980–1984)
NBA draft 1984 / Round: 4 / Pick: 79th overall
Selected by the Denver Nuggets
Position Shooting guard
Number 30, 32, 7
Career highlights and awards
  • Currently holds Olympic record for most three point baskets in a single game (ten) (tied with Carmelo Anthony and Oscar Schmidt)
  • Named the University of Calgary's greatest athlete of all-time by an online poll, in conjunction with the university's 40th anniversary
  • Broke the Canadian collegiate basketball point-per-game record with 32.9 points-per-game
  • CIAU scoring champion (1982–83)
  • Four-time CIAU All-Canadian (1981–84)
  • Two-time Mike Moser Memorial Trophy Award winner (1982–83), the first to accomplish that feat in back-to-back years
  • Three-time Conference Player of the Year (1981–83)
  • Two-time University of Calgary Male Athlete of the Year (1981, 1983)
  • City of Calgary Male Athlete of the Year (1983)
  • Three-time conference scoring champion (1982–84)
  • Four-time unanimous Canada West University Athletic Association All-Star (1981–84)

Karl Michael Tilleman (born November 1, 1960) is a former Canadian basketball player whose respected Olympic-team coach, Jack Donohue, called "the best three-point shooter in the world."[1] Tilleman currently holds the Olympic record for the most three-point baskets in a single game, hitting ten of sixteen three-point shots, and scoring 21 points in a row, in a game against Spain in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.[2][3] Tilleman's Olympic three-point record has not been broken in more than a quarter of a century, but has been tied twice, once by the legendary Oscar Schmidt, of Brazil, in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and then by Carmelo Anthony of the USA, in the 2012 London Olympics.[4][5][6] In the 1983 Pan American Games, Tilleman scored 28 points against the United States despite being guarded most of the game by Michael Jordan, and before the three-point line was adopted for international basketball.[7][8]

Tilleman played for the Canadian National Team from 1981 to 1984 and 1986 to 1988; he represented Canada in the Summer Olympic Games in 1984 and 1988, and with his teammates captured the men's basketball gold medal in the World Student Games held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1983,[9] which was one of Canada's finest moments in its rich basketball history.[10] Tilleman was internationally recognized for his "superb shooting" skills with "ballistic range," which allowed him to take games "into his own hands," as he did when he scored 22 points in the second half against Puerto Rico in the 1983 Pan American Games, bringing Canada back from a 13-points deficit in that game.[11]

Tilleman was drafted by the Denver Nuggets as their second draft pick and the 79th overall in 1984,[9] the only player for the University of Calgary Dinos ever to be drafted by a NBA franchise;[12] Tilleman was the fourth-highest NBA draft pick of any Canadian Interuniversity (CIAU) basketball player in history (behind only Greg Wiltjer, Victoria, and William Njoku and Mickey Fox, both of St. Mary's, Halifax).[13]

Tilleman had an unprecedented collegiate basketball career in Canada, breaking numerous records. Some of his college accomplishments include receiving the Mike Moser Trophy Award as the Most Outstanding CIAU male basketball player two years consecutively, the first to accomplish that feat;[9] breaking the Canadian basketball points-per-game scoring record with a 32.9 points-per-game average;[14] being voted a first team CIAU All-Canadian 4 consecutive years;[15] hitting every free throw he attempted during the entire 1983-84 Canada West regular season, except one (51/52),[16] breaking the University of Calgary's all-time point-per-game record, and becoming the university's leading all-time scorer, when he graduated with an average of 25.9 point-per-game (again, before the implementation of the three point shot);[15] being the CIAU scoring champion in the 1982 and 1983 seasons,[15] and being selected a Canada West Conference Allstar five consecutive years, the final four as a unanimous first team conference Allstar.[15][17]

Since his athletic career, Tilleman was voted the University of Calgary's all-time greatest athlete receiving an astonishing five times more votes than the closest runner-up,[12] was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame,[9] and was inducted into the University of Calgary's Hall of Fame.[15]

In addition to his respected athletic career, Tilleman has distinguished himself as an attorney and in his charitable service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). As an attorney, he has clerked for Former Chief Justice Warren Burger and Justice Clarence Thomas,[18] was the managing partner of Steptoe & Johnson's Phoenix office,[19] and has represented many high-profile companies and entities, including the Harlem Globetrotters, the University of Southern California, AIG, and Metlife, Inc.[18] In the LDS Church, where there is no paid local clergy,[20] Tilleman has served as a bishop and stake president in Phoenix, Arizona, and as mission president of the Canada Vancouver Mission.[19]

Athletic career

International career

Tilleman played for the Canadian Men's National Team from 1981 to 1984 and from 1986 to 1988.[9] In 1983, he represented Canada on the team that won Gold in the World Student Games held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.[9] Later that year, Tilleman knocked down 28 points in a head-to-head showdown with Michael Jordan in a tightly contested game against the United States, which was tied 15 times, in the 1983 Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela.[7][21] He participated in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, where Canada finished fourth overall.[9] In that Olympics, he averaged 7.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg, and 1.1 ast.[22]

After interrupting his basketball career to serve a mission for his church, Tilleman continued to represent Canada from 1986 through the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul Korea, where he averaged 11.9 ppg and 1.6 rpg,[22] which points per game was second highest on the Canadian team in that Olympics.[9] He had exceptional performances against Egypt and Spain where he scored 29 and 37 points respectively, with his shooting performance against Spain setting an Olympic record for three-point shots made in single game (10/16).[2][4][22] Tilleman's record-setting performance in the 1988 Olympics was particularly noteworthy in that he was already in law school, and competing for the top spot in his law-school class, while at the same time training for, and then representing Canada in, the 1988 Olympics.[23] Tilleman appears to be the only Canadian Olympian to ever have clerked for a Justice of the United States Supreme Court, with Tilleman clerking for both Justice Clarence Thomas and former Chief Justice Warren E. Burger at the Supreme Court of the United States in 1992-93.[24]

Tilleman's personal record for three-point baskets appears to have been set in 1986 against a talented NCAA Division 1 team, the Montana State Bobcats, which won 21 games, and were the Big Sky conference regular season championships that season. Playing for a Senior Men's team from Calgary, Tilleman scored 50 points, hitting 13 three pointers (for 39 points) in a last-minute loss to the Bobcats on their home court.[25]

University

First Season (1979–80)

Before attending the University of Calgary, Tilleman attended Sir Winston Churchill High School where he led his team to the Calgary City Championship and later to the 4A Provincial Championship Finals.[9] He started his freshman year at the university averaging 14.1 points per page with a 49 field goal percentage, and 1.9 rebounds per game,[26] and was selected as a Canada West Conference Second Team Allstar as a freshman.[17]

Second Season (1980–81)

In his second season, Tilleman greatly enhanced his performance which brought increased recognition and honors. He averaged 27.5 points per game, 55.9 FG%, and 4.8 rebounds per game.[26] With this performance he was named the University of Calgary Male Athlete of the Year, Conference Player of the Year, a unanimous first team Canada West Athletic Association all-star, and a CIAU first team all-Canadian.[15]

Third Season (1981–82)

In his third season he almost averaged a double-double with 32.9 ppg and 8.1 rpg with a 47.5 FG% [26] With this scoring, Tilleman broke the previously held CIAU points per game scoring record of 31.3 ppg.[27] Additionally, he maintained his honors as first team Canada West all-star, Conference Player of the Year, and CIAU all-Canadian, while additionally establishing himself as the CIAU MVP, and Conference and CIAU scoring champion of the year.[15]

Fourth Season (1982–83)

In his fourth season Tilleman averaged 30.9 ppg and 4.1 rpg with a 51.5 FG%,[26] which led him again to earn first team Canada West all-star, Conference player of the year, CIAU all-Canadian, and University of Calgary male Athlete of the Year awards, while additionally being recognized as the City of Calgary's Male Athlete of the Year by Calgary Sports Media.[15] His scoring again lead him to be the Conference and CIAU scoring champion of that year.[15]

Fifth Season (1983–84)

In the 1983-1984 season Tilleman again averaged superb numbers with 31.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, a 48.5 FG%, and an incredible 98 free throw percentage, missing only one free throw during the entire Canada West regular season.[16][26] With this he again was recognized as a Canada West first team all-star, CIAU all-Canadian, and the Conference scoring champion.[15] In 1984 after his collegiate eligibility, he was drafted in the fourth round by the Denver Nuggets; however, upon arriving in Denver, he suffered from the flu and a sprained ankle and was consequently cut from the team.[28]

Post-career awards

After his final season game for the Dinos, Tilleman's number 30 jersey was retired by the university.[15] In 1995, he was inducted into the university's athletic hall of fame.[15] On April 5, 2007, as a celebration of the university's 40th anniversary, Tilleman was voted on an online poll as the university's all-time greatest athlete, receiving 26 per cent of the votes, more than five times than the runner-up.[12] In 2008, Tilleman was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.[9]

Professional/Legal career

Tilleman graduated from Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School summa cum laude (with highest distinction), Order of the Coif in 1990 while also serving as the Editor-in-Chief of the BYU Law Review.[18] After graduation, he clerked for Hon. John T. Noonan of the United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit from 1990-1991.[18] Later, he clerked for Former Chief Justice Warren Burger and Justice Clarenece Thomas at the United States Supreme Court from 1992–93.[18] As an attorney, he has worked for Steptoe & Johnson LLP where he was eventually appointed as managing partner of Steptoe's Phoenix office;[29] Tilleman is currently the Practice Group Leader for Steptoe's world-wide complex commercial disputes practice group, the largest practice group in the firm, and was voted by his partners onto the firm's executive committee.[18] His practice focuses on litigating antitrust, intellectual property, RICO, insurance coverage and bad faith, construction and environmental disputes.[18] He has similarly earned awards and recognition as an attorney, which include being selected to Best Lawyers in America for insurance law from 2011–15, Southwest Super Lawyers for business litigation from 2009–14, Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers for general commercial litigation from 2011–12, and Arizona's Finest Lawyers in 2011.[18] Additionally, Tilleman was interviewed by the White House for an appointment as a Federal Court Judge, but upon realizing that accepting the position would considerably alter his priorities, he declined the offer.[30] His clients include many high-profile insurance, healthcare, money transfer and entertainment companies. In a non-exclusive list, he has represented State Farm, Allstate, Chartis, and Metlife in numerous bad-faith actions, Western Union, the University of Southern California and Urban Partners in a multi-million antitrust and RICO lawsuit, and the Harlem Globetrotters in an intellectual property action brought to Federal Court by former Globetrotter superstars Meadowlark Lemon, Curly Neal, and others.[18]

Charitable/Ecclesiastical service/family

In between his Olympic performances, Tilleman served as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in the California Arcadia Mission.[31] Additionally, while living in Phoenix, he was called to serve as a bishop[19] and as a stake president.[19] On March 26, 2011, he accepted an assignment from the Church to serve as the mission president of the Canada Vancouver Mission.[19] He essentially put his legal practice on hold to fulfill the assignment, which ended on July 1, 2014. While serving as a mission president, Tilleman suffered a devastating fall, after being attacked by a bull mastiff dog, which left him paralyzed from the neck down.[32] He fought to overcome that paralyzing and potentially life-threatening injury to complete his three-year term as a mission president and then continue his practice of law with Steptoe & Johnson.[33] Tilleman and his wife, Holly Benson Tilleman, have been married for 28 years, and have five children: Karl Benson, Daniel William, Mary Barbara-Jean (Caywood), Michael Robert, and Sarah Elizabeth.[34]

References

  1. ↑ Benson, Lee; Robinson, Doug (1992). Trials & Triumphs: Mormons in the Olympic Games (1st ed.). Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company. p. 210. ISBN 0-87579-628-1.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Spain 94 Canada 84". www.apnewsarhive.com. Associated Press. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  3. ↑ "1988 Olympic Games: Tournament for Men". archive.fiba.com. FIBA. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Moreau, D'Joumbarey. "Carmelo Anthony Should Own The 2012 Olympic Basketball Scoring Record". bleacherreport.com. Bleacher Report. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  5. ↑ Limón, Carlos. "Juegos Londres 2012: EEUU vence a Nigeria 156-73 y bate el récord olímpico de anotación". The Huffington Post (Spanish Version). Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  6. ↑ HERAS, RUBÉN. "Estados Unidos acribilla a Nigeria y rompe todos los récords". RTVE.es. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Benson, Lee; Robinson, Doug (1992). Trials & Triumps: Mormons in the Olympic Games (1st ed.). Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company. p. 205. ISBN 0-87579-628-1.
  8. ↑ "Canadian Cagers lose to U.S. Team". Google News. Google/Montreal Gazette. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 9.9 "Karl Tilleman". Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  10. ↑ Vogt, Rob. "Canada's Greatest Basketball Moments". http://robvogt80s''. Blogspot. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  11. ↑ Farber, Michael. "Canada's Cagers Lose in Overtime". Google News. Google News/Montreal Gazette. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Tilleman Named the Greatest Dino of All Time". The University of Calgary.
  13. ↑ Phillips, Curtis. "42 Canadians drafted to NBA since 1947 -- FULL list!". northpolehoops.com. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  14. ↑ Buchmiller, Golden. nid=336&dat=19820619&id=wDdTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HYMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4309,5527058 "Karl is the King of the court in Canada". The Desert News. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 15.8 15.9 15.10 15.11 "Karl Tilleman". The University of Calgary.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Men's Basketball, History, 1983-84 Year in Review, at page 6" (PDF). Canadawest.org. Canada West Athletic Association. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Men's Basketball History, 1979-80 Year in Review, at page 8" (PDF). canadawest.org. Canada West Athletic Association. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 18.8 "Karl M. Tilleman". Steptoe and Johnson LLP.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 "New mission presidents", Church News, 2011-03-26.
  20. ↑ "Why Don't Mormons Have Paid Clergy?". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  21. ↑ "Tisdale Triggers U.S. Win". newsok.com. Oklahoman. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 "Karl Tilleman". Sports Reference LLC.
  23. ↑ Taylor, Scott. "Karl Who? Hoop Star Tilleman Isn't Unknown Commodity in His Native Canada". Deseret News. Deseret News. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  24. ↑ Janetski, Joyce. "A Courtroom With A View". digitalcommons.law.byu.edu. J. Reuben Clark Law Society/J. Reuben Clark Law School. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  25. ↑ Benson, Lee; Robinson, Doug (1992). Trials & Triumphs: Mormons in the Olympic Games (1st ed.). Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company. p. 210. ISBN 0-87579-628-1.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 "Karl Tilleman". The Draft Review.
  27. ↑ Buchmiller, Golden. "Karl is the King of the court in Canada". The Desert News. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  28. ↑ Carter, Larry. "Karl Tilleman: An Example of Determination and Endurance". lds.org. LDS Church/lds.org. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Karl M. Tilleman". LexisNexis.
  30. ↑ Carter, Larry. "Karl Tilleman: An Example of Determination and Endurance". lds.org. LDS Church/lds.org. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  31. ↑ Carter, Larry. "Karl Tilleman: An Example of Determination and Endurance". lds.org. LDS Church/lds.org. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  32. ↑ Carter, Larry. "Karl Tilleman: An Example of Determination and Endurance". lds.org. LDS Church/lds.org. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  33. ↑ Carter, Larry. "Karl Tilleman: An Example of Determination and Endurance". lds.org. LDS Church/lds.org. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  34. ↑ Hurtado, Allison. "A Family on a Mission". ahwatukee.com. Ahwatukee Foothills News/East Valley Tribune. Retrieved March 27, 2015.

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