Matisse Thybulle Bio
Matisse Vincent Thybulle is an Australian-American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers the following day. Thybulle was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team as a member of the 76ers in 2021 and 2022. He was traded to the Trail Blazers in 2023. Thybulle played college basketball for the Washington Huskies. As a senior in 2019, he was recognized as the top defender in the nation with the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and the Lefty Driesell Award. Thybulle also earned first-team all-conference honors in the Pac-12 and repeated as the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Thybulle is a dual American-Australian citizen and spent seven years of his childhood in Sydney. He was a member of the Australian national team at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Early Life and Background
Matisse Thybulle was born on March 4, 1997, in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is the son of Greg Thybulle, a Haitian-born engineer, and Dr. Elizabeth Thybulle, a naturopath who passed away in 2015. Matisse was named after the French artist Henri Matisse. In 1998, his family moved to Sydney, Australia, where they lived for seven years. While in Australia, Thybulle did not play much basketball and instead focused on swimming. His family returned to the United States in 2005 and settled in Sammamish, Washington. Thybulle attended Skyline High School for two years before transferring to Eastside Catholic High School, where he graduated in 2015. He was recognized as a four-star recruit by Scout.com and a three-star recruit by ESPN. In 2024, Thybulle’s jersey number was retired by Eastside Catholic High School.
Path to Basketball
Thybulle chose to attend the University of Washington in Seattle, influenced by his relationship with Huskies coach Lorenzo Romar. He started all 34 games as a true freshman in the 2015-16 season, averaging 6.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. As a sophomore, he averaged 10.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.1 steals. After a coaching change, Thybulle decided to remain with the program under new coach Mike Hopkins, who implemented a 2-3 zone defense that suited Thybulle’s skills. In his junior year, he was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in school history to receive the honor. Thybulle’s senior year was marked by numerous accolades, including the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and the Lefty Driesell Award. He led all NCAA Division I players with 126 steals and broke the Pac-12 single-season record for steals.
Matisse Thybulle Career
Early Career (2019–2023)
The Philadelphia 76ers targeted Matisse Thybulle leading up to the 2019 NBA draft, seeking a player who could contribute immediately to their championship aspirations. They selected him with the 20th overall pick after trading with the Boston Celtics. Thybulle made his NBA debut on October 23, 2019, in a game against the Celtics, contributing three points, a rebound, an assist, two steals, and two blocks. In his rookie season, he had a standout performance against the Toronto Raptors, scoring 20 points and making five three-pointers. Thybulle’s second season saw him named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, where he led the league in steals per 100 possessions.
Breakthrough (2023–Present)
On February 9, 2023, Thybulle was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in a four-team trade. He made his debut for the Trail Blazers on February 13, 2023, scoring 14 points and recording six rebounds, two assists, and three blocks in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers. In his time with the Trail Blazers, Thybulle has continued to showcase his defensive prowess and versatility on the court.
Notable Works and Milestones
Matisse Thybulle’s signature work includes his defensive skills, which earned him multiple accolades, including the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and selections to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. He is recognized for his ability to disrupt opposing offenses and contribute significantly to his teams’ defensive strategies.
Matisse Thybulle Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Matisse Thybulle has received several nominations for his outstanding defensive play and contributions to basketball.
Matisse Thybulle Awards Won
Matisse Thybulle has won numerous awards, including the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 and being named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in both 2021 and 2022. His achievements reflect his dedication to excellence in basketball.
Matisse Thybulle Family
Matisse Thybulle’s family background includes his parents, Greg and Dr. Elizabeth Thybulle. His mother, a naturopath, passed away in 2015.
Personal Life
Thybulle is known to be Catholic and was confirmed as a child. He has publicly shared that he is not fully vaccinated for COVID-19, which affected his eligibility to play in certain games during the playoffs. He has expressed pride in his Australian roots and has represented Australia in international competitions.
