5. Matisse Thybulle – Washington/From Washington (6-5 195, 21-years-old)
Matisse didn’t shoot much, didn’t have appealing scoring numbers (36% from down town for 10.9 points per game this season) and his rebounding (2.8) and passing (2.5) numbers far from stood out. However, he stayed true to his calling card: DEFENSE. He averaged 2.9 steals AND 1.4 blocks per game en route to being named Pac12 Defensive Player of the Year. He made 47% of his treys in 4 games versus ranked teams, showing he has the ability to shoot when need be and he swiped 3.3 steals and swatted 1.3 blocks in those games showing even against solid competition he will do the dirty work. Every team needs a player like that. Ask then ranked #2 Kansas if he can score when his name is called. He lit them up for 19 points on 7 of 11 shooting with 5 treys. To show just how good his defense is, he led the Pac12 with 92 steals this season, placing dynamite next to the prior record of 67. He also blocked 44 shots and his defensive rating led the conference. In fact, only two players in Pac12 history have recorded 90+ steals and 40+ blocks in the same season and he’s one of them. For a team struggling on defensive, he could greatly help Phoenix.