Thybulle Named Finalist for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year
March 13, 2019 | Men's Basketball
SEATTLE – University of Washington senior and reigning two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Matisse Thybulle has been selected as one of four finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced on Thursday.
He's joined by Duke's Zion Williamson, Gonzaga's Brandon Clarke and Virginia's De'Andre Hunter as a finalist for the prestigious award in its second year. West Virginia's Jevon Carter won the inaugural honor last season. Carter finished his campaign with 112 steals and just 13 blocks on the year. This year, Thybulle leads all candidates with 182 combined takeaways (110 steals and 72 blocks) on a team that is holding opponents to just 64 points per game which ranks 26th nationally.
Thybulle has been a national defensive standout this season, consistently earning recognition for his play on both ends of the court and he recently became just the second player in Pac-12 history to repeat as the annual Defensive Player of the Year joining Gary Payton II (2014-15, 15-16). He was also a First Team All-Pac-12 selection, a member of the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team, a First Team USBWA All-District IX honoree and was named an honorable mention All-American by Sporting News.
With 110 steals and 72 blocks, the 6-5 senior is the only player in the last 25 years to have a season with those numbers, per SportsReference. Additionally, he is the only player in Pac-12 history to record two 100-steal seasons. His 110 steals tie Jason Kidd (Cal, 1992-93) for the league's single-season mark and are the UW record, breaking the mark he set a year ago with 101.
Not only has he been the 'Man of Steal' for the Huskies, but Thybulle has been a menace with his blocks. His 72 on the year rank 18th in the NCAA this season and he is the only player ranked in the top 50 nationally that is under 6-5.
Thybulle currently leads the NCAA averaging 3.55 per game and his 315 career steals lead all active NCAA Division I players. The senior is the only player in the last 20 seasons to record both 100 steals and 70 blocks in the same year and is also one of just three players in that span to average 2.0 blocks and 2.0 steals in a season, joining Shane Battier - Duke (1999-2000, 2000-01) and Nerlens Noel - Kentucky (2012-13). Additionally, Thybulle has 175 blocks on his career, which is 11 shy of the UW record set by Christian Welp (1984-87).
Thybulle has started every game during his UW career, a streak that now stands at 130 games and has recorded 1,210 career points, which ranks 29th all-time at Washington. This season, he's averaging 9.5 points per game this season while adding 3.1 rebounds a night.
The 2019 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year presented by Bona will be honored at the Naismith Awards Brunch presented by Mortenson on April 7, 2019, during the Final Four in Minneapolis.
He's joined by Duke's Zion Williamson, Gonzaga's Brandon Clarke and Virginia's De'Andre Hunter as a finalist for the prestigious award in its second year. West Virginia's Jevon Carter won the inaugural honor last season. Carter finished his campaign with 112 steals and just 13 blocks on the year. This year, Thybulle leads all candidates with 182 combined takeaways (110 steals and 72 blocks) on a team that is holding opponents to just 64 points per game which ranks 26th nationally.
Thybulle has been a national defensive standout this season, consistently earning recognition for his play on both ends of the court and he recently became just the second player in Pac-12 history to repeat as the annual Defensive Player of the Year joining Gary Payton II (2014-15, 15-16). He was also a First Team All-Pac-12 selection, a member of the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team, a First Team USBWA All-District IX honoree and was named an honorable mention All-American by Sporting News.
With 110 steals and 72 blocks, the 6-5 senior is the only player in the last 25 years to have a season with those numbers, per SportsReference. Additionally, he is the only player in Pac-12 history to record two 100-steal seasons. His 110 steals tie Jason Kidd (Cal, 1992-93) for the league's single-season mark and are the UW record, breaking the mark he set a year ago with 101.
Not only has he been the 'Man of Steal' for the Huskies, but Thybulle has been a menace with his blocks. His 72 on the year rank 18th in the NCAA this season and he is the only player ranked in the top 50 nationally that is under 6-5.
Thybulle currently leads the NCAA averaging 3.55 per game and his 315 career steals lead all active NCAA Division I players. The senior is the only player in the last 20 seasons to record both 100 steals and 70 blocks in the same year and is also one of just three players in that span to average 2.0 blocks and 2.0 steals in a season, joining Shane Battier - Duke (1999-2000, 2000-01) and Nerlens Noel - Kentucky (2012-13). Additionally, Thybulle has 175 blocks on his career, which is 11 shy of the UW record set by Christian Welp (1984-87).
Thybulle has started every game during his UW career, a streak that now stands at 130 games and has recorded 1,210 career points, which ranks 29th all-time at Washington. This season, he's averaging 9.5 points per game this season while adding 3.1 rebounds a night.
The 2019 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year presented by Bona will be honored at the Naismith Awards Brunch presented by Mortenson on April 7, 2019, during the Final Four in Minneapolis.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's BasketballSteinbach GOT IT 🗑️😮💨
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