While the Philadelphia 76ers will be sending Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons to Chicago for the All-Star game on February 16, and that was expected, they were also hoping to send one of their young prospects to Chicago as well. However, that will not be the case.
Rookie Matisse Thybulle has not been selected for the Rising Stars Challenge from the assistant coaches in the league. He was selected 20th overall in the June draft and he has continued to make big strides with the Sixers, but that fact and his lack of offensive production can hinder a guy like him in this process.
The rookie is averaging a modest 4.9 points and 1.6 rebounds but has turned in some elite defense and he has continued to take steps forward offensively. His 3-point percentage of 38.6% has allowed him to become one of the best 3-and-D players in the NBA, but defense does not get players into All-Star festivities. A player needs to have big scoring nights and this sets a bad precedent for the league.
Philadelphia 76ers rookie Matisse Thybulle was not voted in by assistant coaches to be a participant in the Rising Stars Game, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 31, 2020
It can be tough for a rookie in his position to make the Rising Stars Challenge due to him being selected in the 20’s in the draft and because he is not an offensive-minded player. Normally, a player needs to show he can put the ball in the basket and have a high-flying game rather than be focused on defense.
“It’s harder to put your hand when you’re not getting 20 every night,” said coach Brett Brown on Tuesday. “I think that people recognize something that’s kind of elite. Maybe it’s not as obvious if you’re not peppering a scoresheet with points, but when you see some of the things he does defensively, it’s eye-popping. It’s quite noticeable.”
Thybulle has totaled 64 steals and 34 blocks so far in his rookie season. The steals are tops amongst rookies by a wide margin and the blocks are fifth amongst rookies. The most impressive stat? He’s 17th in minutes played. He deserved to be a participant, but it did not roll that way for the prospect out of Washington. [lawrence-related id=24619,24610,24602]