NBA Comparison: Matisse Thybulle

Strengths: An explosive, playmaking wing who loves to get out in transition and create for his teammates in fast-paced scenarios … The linchpin of UConn’s run-and-gun offensive sets predicated on constant movement … An above average passer with great vision and quick decision making … A player with defensive stopper potential … Instinctive defender who jumps passing lanes and rises high for rebounds and blocks from weakside positioning … Proved to be a leader and a clutch performer in UConn’s title run … Fluid athlete with long arms (near 6’10 wingspan) who uses his lateral quickness and length to switch and defend all positions on the floor … Active cutter and rim-runner who can finish acrobatically above the rim or with a running floater under control … Can work as the primary initiator with smooth ball-handling and excellent court vision … Pick and roll skill is very good for his size … Nimble and slippery enough to run around screens and disrupt offensive action … Disruptive defender and unselfish facilitator (1.1 STL, 0.5 BLK and 4.7 AST) as a junior at UConn … May never be much of an offensive threat, but makes up for it with an impressive basketball IQ … Possesses extraordinary passing accuracy in tight spaces … Excellent rebounder due to impressive leaping ability and length … Projects primarily as a versatile and talented defender with athletic finishing, transition prowess and playmaking upside … Affects the game in ways that don’t always show on the stat sheet… Durable, rotational wing who can provide an additional ball-handler and playmaker off the bench …

Weaknesses: Lack of scoring ability is a major concern … Unselfish to a fault … Must become more aggressive hunting his own shots and a more efficient shooter … Lacks the offensive touch/feel and confidence to put up points consistently (just 6.0 career ppg) and at this point is not a two way impact guy … He Is an excellent playmaker in transition but can be an erratic decision maker who can get sped up in the open floor or in half-court sets … Has a thin frame that can be taken advantage of more at the next level than it was in college … Despite his tight handles, quickness and athleticism, Jackson rarely got to the free-throw line and shot a poor percentage (64%) when he did get there … His lack of efficiency at the line and awkward shooting motion suggest that his struggles as a jump-shooter will continue unless he can successfully revamp his shooting motion … Showed an increased willingness to shoot from the perimeter (2.5 attempts per game) to keep teams honest, but needs to improve efficiency at 28% …

Notes: 2023 NCAA Champion as co-captain of UConn … Top-50 HS recruit who earned NY Sports Writers Association Player of the Year … Averaged 6.7 PTS, 6.2 REB and 4.7 AST in junior season for the Huskies … Measured: 6′ 5.50” barefoot, 8′ 7.00” standing reach, 198.4 lbs with a 6′ 9.75′ wingspan and a 39.5′ inch max vertical at 2023 NBA Draft Combine …

Derek Bast 5/30/23