Matisse Thybulle has been among the best defenders in college basketball for a couple seasons now. At 6-foot-6, the lanky forward anchors Washington’s zone defense, averaging 3.5 steals and 2.2 blocks per game.
It can be tough to evaluate players in a zone defense, but it’s clear Thybulle possesses NBA-caliber talent on that end. He’s long, gets into passing lanes, and wracks up weak-side blocks with unmatched instincts. He should have no problem adjusting to the NBA’s switch-heavy schemes.
What Thybulle lacks, however, is prolific offense. He’s a career 36.1 percent three-point shooter, but has hit a career-low 31.5 percent as a senior. Add in his 9.2 points per game scoring average, and it’s clear Thybulle won’t be relied on for significant offensive production.