NBA Draft 2019 Prospect Watch: Matisse Thybulle

Fit with the Bucks

Considering his defensive pedigree and even with his rudimentary offense that is clouded with some concerns at the next level, there is very real reason to believe Thybulle could be taken by the time the Bucks are on the clock with the 30th overall pick.

But with that big caveat out of the way, the Arizona-born Thybulle clearly checks some significant boxes as it relates to the type of things the Bucks target through the draft and especially since general manager Jon Horst took charge, who’s now going into his third draft under that title.

First and foremost, Thybulle’s role player potential is quite stark and clear. And while some are questioning just how effective he will be defensively, considering how specialized the Huskies’ defense was the last two seasons, Thybulle’s natural gifts will still translate to the next level.

Combine that with the intangibles he brings to the practice court and in live game situations, Thybulle would fit right in with the culture that is going on right now with the Bucks under head coach Mike Budenholzer.

The developmental infrastructure the Bucks have in place would also be fruitful in helping ironing out the deficiencies he has in his game as he jumps to the pros. That certainly starts with having someone of assistant coach Ben Sullivan’s pedigree, as his work helping develop players’ jump shots was seen in full effect this season in Milwaukee.

There is plenty of intrigue surrounding Thybulle at this stage in the pre-draft process, all of which has stemmed from his decision to skip attending this year’s NBA Draft Combine in Chicago earlier this month. That has only fueled speculation over whether he has received a promise from a team as well.

We won’t truly know of the team until way after the fact and this is the start of silly season as well. But the Bucks will have to hold out a lot of hope to see Thybulle still on the board when their name is first called on draft night three weeks from now.