The Philadelphia 76ers have one of the best defensive rookies in Matisse Thybulle, but what can he do for the club this season?
After writing about Zhaire Smith‘s ceiling for this upcoming season, it seems only appropriate to write a series of articles about each young player on the Philadelphia 76ers roster’s ceiling. This article series will only include players who are under the age of 25-years-old, because anyone at the age of 25 or older is already close too, if not already, the person that they will be. With that in mind, Matisse Thybulle will be next player covered as he is the second youngest behind Smith
Thybulle is the highly totted rookie on the Sixers as he’s the only first round pick on the roster from this summer’s draft. In his last season of college, he averaged 9.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 3.5 steals and 2.3 blocks, while converting 30.5 percent from the 3-point line. However, don’t let his 3-point percentage from his senior season be misleading. He shot 35.8 percent from deep over his college career.
Using college stats isn’t always a great tool in helping to measure a players ceiling in the NBA. In this past summer league, he averaged 11.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.2 blocks, while making 39.3 percent of his 3-pointers (stats per RealGM). His stat lines from college and summer league seem to dictator that Thybulle will become an elite 3-and-D player over time.
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This upcoming season, I have recently wrote about how Thybulle will most likely be the third wing off the bench. He will be competing for playing time against Smith and veteran James Ennis. While Thybulle will get some run during the regular season, it’s doubtful he will have a normal spot in the rotation. That’s the projected floor I have for Thybulle this season, but it doesn’t he will be stuck there either.
Smith isn’t guaranteed to be a contributor right away or Ennis could struggle with his 3-point shot like he did when he joined the Sixers last season. Thybulle could work his way into the rotation, because despite being rookie, he has four years of college experience. That experience could help him get a regular rotation spot if either Smith or Ennis prove not to be enough off the bench.
Regardless if he inches himself into the second or even first wing off the bench role, it’s doubtful that Thybulle will get close to he averaged minutes in college or even in the summer league. He may not put up the same numbers he did in college, but if the opportunity presents itself he could become a main stay in the wing rotation.
Thybulle may not have an overall high ceiling, but he could become an important part of the Philadelphia 76ers rotation this season if everything falls into place. He has the skill set to contribute right away, but the question will be if he get the opportunity.