The Thybulle File
- 20th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft
- Two NBA All-Defensive Second Team selections, 2021, 2022
- Won the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award, 2019
- Won the Lefty Driesell Award, 2019
- Led the NCAA in steals, 2019
- One First-team All-Pac-12 selections, 2019
- Two Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year awards, 2018, 2019
- One Bronze Medal at the Olympics, 2020
- Nicknamed "Mathief"
Matisse Thybulle's Perfect Nickname
What's in a name?
Different names mean different things across different cultures. Feel free to speculate on the feelings of ancestors, and a name's role in destiny and fate.
If you're in favor of it, though, Matisse Thybulle is living proof.
Some names are just wonderfully malleable, others are lucky enough for the perfect nickname to fall into their lap. Thybulle is perhaps the best defensive wing in the sport, contesting shots and passing lanes like an absolute mad man. He's led his conference in steals back at Washington and is poised to do it again at the professional level.
The defensive prowess has lent itself to the adoration of Philadelphia 76ers fans. They rallied around Thybulle to give him a nickname, one of the higher honors in East Pennsylvania sports. Just ask Nick Foles.
"Mathief" is chef-kiss-level perfect. It rolls off the tongue like a lisp. The same number of syllables. The connection to his elite defense. It's simply amazing.
Dr. Elizabeth Thybulle, I applaud your foresight.