Getty Sixers guard Matisse Thybulle and Spurs guard Patty Mills helped lead Team Australia to victory in pre-Olympic exhibition play.
Philadelphia 76ers young guard Matisse Thybulle was a breakout star last season, especially on the defensive end of the floor. But Thybulle has been flashing some serious offensive skills during pre-Olympic exhibition play for Team Australia.
Thybulle moved to Australia when he was two years old and lived there for seven years with his family. The 24-year-old took the court for the Boomers on Saturday night and didn’t disappoint. He scored 15 points and grabbed five rebounds in an 87-84 come-from-behind win over Argentina. More impressively, he drilled three triples while coming up with four steals and three blocks.
All-Defensive team member Matisse Thybulle doing All-Defensive team stuff
“Defensively, the switching that he did in the third quarter, the shot-blocking, getting out on the break and hitting those corner threes,” Boomers coach Brian Goorjian told the West Australian. “You can just see he’s comfortable out there, he’s a piece that just hasn’t been there and a huge addition for us. There’s an appreciation of being a part of this, you can tell he enjoys it and what took place tonight gives him confidence heading into Tokyo.”
the kid is shining for the world!
we got some @MatisseThybulle highlights to start your day 🇦🇺
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Ben Simmons Sitting Out Tokyo Olympics
Ben Simmons is arguably the most famous basketball star of Australian origin. However, the embattled Sixers star decided to skip the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics as he prepares to work on his jump shot this summer. Simmons has been the subject of many trade rumors – and the butt of some really mean-spirited jokes – ever since Philly’s untimely playoff exit.
“The number one fact and characteristic of our group is how we support each other through the good, bad and ugly, whatever it may be, and Ben isn’t an exception to that,” Aussie star Patty Mills said of Simmons, via the Inquirer. “No matter what he does, myself and the team will continue to support him because this is a safe place — everyone needs to know and understand that now more than ever, we need to support Ben on his journey.”
Ben Simmons has officially withdrawn from the Australian Boomers’ Tokyo Olympics campaign, Basketball Australia announced in a 5:30am press release.
Thybulle Learned Value of Defense From Dad
Thybulle was asked why he put such a great emphasis on defense after a playoff game in late May. He immediately pointed to his dad – a novice hoops fan at the time – for helping instill the importance of shutting down the opposition.
“Maybe like fifth grade. My dad always preached defense,” Thybulle said on when defense became his thing. “He didn’t really understand basketball too well at first when I started playing and then he became a referee. He taught himself the game and just realized that even at a young age, that whatever guys could guard well always had a place on every team. So he just preached that to me. And then for whatever reason I just kind of had a knack for it and it all fell into place.”
The Washington product finished 12th for NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting and received one third-place vote this year. Simmons was the runner-up for the award, with All-Star center Joel Embiid placing seventh.
2020-21 NBA All-Defensive teams:
First team: Rudy Gobert, Ben Simmons, Draymond Green, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday
Second team: Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, Joel Embiid, Matisse Thybulle, Kawhi Leonard
Thybulle also earned a spot on the All-Defense Team and became only the 26th player in NBA history to secure the honor within his first two seasons in the league. He received 57 second-team votes and three first-team votes despite logging just 20 minutes per game.
“It’s an honor,” Thybulle told reporters on June 18. “I take it as a compliment, but anything, it just encourages me to work harder and it motivates me to want to win even more.”
Matisse Thybulle is the first player in NBA history to record 5 blocks and 4 steals in less than 35 minutes of a playoff game.
He did it in 20 minutes ‼️
