Matisse Thybulle has signed his rookie contract with the Sixers, the team announced today. The senior swingman out of Washington was selected with the 20th pick in last month’s draft.
Terms of the deal weren’t released, but under the rookie salary structure, Thybulle is eligible to make $2,582,160 in his first season, $2,711,280 in his second and $2,840,160 in his third.
“Matisse was the best defensive wing in the draft and his tenacious and gritty play fit our culture perfectly,” Philadelphia GM Elton Brand said. “A talented shooter and a great person off the court, we’re very excited to welcome Matisse to the 76ers family.”
Thybulle won the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award this season and was honored as the Pac 12’s top defender for the second straight year. His scoring average was modest at 9.1 PPG, but he collected 3.5 steals and 2.3 blocks per night.
Not a Sixers fan, but excited to see this kid play. Love high character glue guys who prioritize D, especially younger ones.
Shamet was a nice find last year, expecting Mattise to be one this season.
As a 76ers fan, I was really liking the look of Keldon Johnson, who is a pure shooter at the 2 or 3 with lots of range. He’s a developing defender but a scorer 100%. Then they traded up and I thought, sweet they are going to take Nassir Little. He just had 1 bad/average year at college but is a baller, he will definitely bounce back and be the next Jason Tatum. He can defend, shot and play great along side Simmons and Embid. Then they look this guy. A really awesome defender but he averages 9 points per game. His ceiling looks like Andre Roberson, a $10 mil per year defender who teams don’t even have to guard on offence. Not really a fan of him and would’ve much preferred Little or Johnson or Porter Jr even.
Why use your highest draft pick on a SG if last year your highest pick was a long term developing SG in Zaire Smith???
Now days I’d be happy if they traded Smith or Thybulle and Bolden for Jae Crowder.