After Matisse Thybulle led the NCAA in steals, then won 2019 NCAA Defensive Player of the Year, it’s no secret that 76ers’ first-round acquisition brings an elite set of defensive skills to the organization.
Now, that sentiment has been reaffirmed by his peers.
In the 2019-20 NBA.com Rookie Survey, Thybulle was voted as the best defender in the 2019 rookie class by his fellow draftees.
Thybulle received 37% of all votes, the largest portion since Victor Oladipo was voted as the best incoming defender in 2013 (63%).
Thybulle earned a sterling defensive reputation during four seasons at Washington, where he averaged 2.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game throughout his career.
As a senior, Thybulle averaged 3.5 steals and 2.3 blocks per game. His 126 steals that season marked the most in the nation.
At summer league, he averaged 2.0 steals per game.