Matisse Thybulle emerging as NBA worthy talent
By Bret Stuter
The Wandering Albatross
On one hand, the Wandering Albatross is the bird with the greatest wingspan. Their wings stretch all the way to 11-foot-6. On the other hand, Mattisse Thybulle is not quite that expansive. In fact, he boasts a 7-foot-0 wingspan. Comparing him to NBA players, that 7-foot-0 wingspan is huge, particularly on a 6-foot-6 small forward body. That’s not just great for shot making, it’s great for shot stopping.
Imagine an NBA player hovering around seven steals per game?
1⃣6⃣ Steals
— Washington Athletics (@UWAthletics) December 21, 2017
1⃣5⃣ Blocks@UW_MBB is the only program in the NCAA to record 16 steals and 15 blocks in a single game since the 2011-12 season after doing so against Bethune-Cookman on December 19. #UWDataPoints
>> https://t.co/FD4wctfkQq pic.twitter.com/WR0D80H5LL
Seven steals in one game warrants NBA discussion.
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Right now, Thybulle is averaging 3.5 steals per game. On top of that production, he is incredibly mature. He chose to remain at Washington despite a coaching change. As a result, he is flourishing under the new defensive 2-3 scheme of head coach Mike Hopkins
Keep in mind that he averaged 1.1 steals per game as a freshman, and 2.1 steals per game as a sophomore. Now, as a junior in a defensive minded scheme, he is up to 3.5 steals per game. Logically, if he remains for his senior year, that number could go way up. And at some point, NBA representatives notice that type of defense.
Three-and-D players get noticed, and get paid, in the NBA