Matisse Thybulle

Matisse Vincent Thybulle, a dual citizen of America and Australia, known for his versatility and defensive prowess in the National Basketball Association (NBA), was born on March 4, 1997, in Scottsdale, Arizona. His father, Greg, a Haitian-born engineer from Harlem, New York, and his mother, Dr. Elizabeth Thybulle, a naturopath who sadly passed away from Leukemia in 2015, named him after the renowned French artist, Henri Matisse. The Thybulle family moved to Sydney, Australia in 1998, living there for seven years. During this time, Matisse attended the North Sydney Demonstration School and developed a fondness for swimming, despite having minimum exposure to basketball.

In 2005, the Thybulle family returned to the United States, settling in Sammamish, Washington, a suburb of Seattle. Matisse finally honed his talent for making layups around the eighth grade, finally matching his speed with his coordination. His high school career began at Skyline High School, before moving on to Eastside Catholic. Matisse was regarded as a four-star recruit by Scout.com and a three-star recruit by ESPN. His high school achievement led him to the basketball program at the University of Washington, where he started all 34 games in his freshman year, averaging 6.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.

Matisse’s stellar performance on the court continued throughout his college years. In February 2017, he scored a career-high 26 points in a game against Colorado. This was largely ascribed to his decision to continue playing under the new Huskies coach, Mike Hopkins, who helped him evolve his defensive game through the use of the 2-3 zone defense. His exceptional defensive game earned him the title of Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, making him the first in the history of the Pac-12 to receive the honor. In his senior year, he achieved new levels of brilliance, clinching the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year award again along with the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, and the Lefty Driesell Award for being the top defensive player in the nation. His historical run in college resulted in him passing Gary Payton’s record to become the conference leader in career steals, solidifying his reputation as a top-notch defender.

In the 2019 NBA draft, the Philadelphia 76ers set their sights on Matisse, drafting him with the 24th overall pick after agreeing to a trade involving the Boston Celtics. He immediately established his presence in the NBA with his defensive skills, scoring 20 points, hitting five three-pointers and making three steals in a game against the Toronto Raptors in December 2019. He continued his impressive performance in the 2020-21 season where he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team and led the NBA with 3.8 steals per 100 possessions.

In 2021, the 76ers reinforced their faith in his talents by extending his contract for another season. However, in February 2023, Matisse was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in a four-team trade involving the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks. He continued his impressive form with the Trail Blazers, making a significant contribution in a match against the Los Angeles Lakers.

During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Matisse represented Australia, where his stellar performance on the court helped bring home their first-ever Olympic medal in men’s basketball against Slovenia. However, Matisse faced controversy in April 2022 when it came to light that he had not completed his COVID-19 vaccinations, which made him ineligible to play in Canada for the NBA playoffs against the Toronto Raptors. Despite the setback, he stated he was raised in a “holistic household” with “Chinese medicine and naturopathic doctors,” and had received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, reflecting a thoughtful and nuanced perspective on health.

Throughout his career, Matisse Thybulle has been celebrated for his tenacity and defensive genius on the basketball court. An exceptional athlete, he has carved out a space for himself in the upper echelons of the NBA while maintaining a unique approach to his personal health and wellness. His remarkable journey from a novice basketball player to an NBA athlete underscores his dedication, talent, and consistent performance, making him a true inspiration for aspiring basketball players.