2019 NBA Draft: 4 Sleepers Atlanta Hawks Could Draft at #10 Overall

Matisse Thybulle

Near and dear to this writer’s heart, Matisse Thybulle out of Washington is perhaps the preeminent defensive artist (much like his potential namesake Henri Matisse) in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Though a four-year senior for the Huskies, Thybulle will still not turn 23 until March of 2020, meaning he will still be able to fit in the Atlanta Hawks youth-oriented timeline were they to take a swing on a high-floor prospect like Thybulle at 10th overall.

Usually, the lottery is meant as a chance for teams to explore the best draft prospects that exhibit the highest ceiling, though players like De’Andre Hunter in this year’s class have a proven NBA-ready skill set and high floor that helps out in a “weaker draft.”

For the Atlanta Hawks, Thybulle’s efficient shot selection would slot in perfectly to the modern offensive system that head coach Lloyd Pierce put into place in his first season. According to Bart Torvik, Thybulle attempted roughly 85 percent of his shots at the rim (29.3%) or from three-point territory (55.9%).

At the rim, Thybulle was nearly automatic at 75.9 percent per Bart Torvik – using his terrific bounce and underrated explosiveness to power through contact and finish with ease. For three-pointers… not so much.

In his college career, Thybulle was a 35.8 percent three-point shooter on a 52 percent three-point attempt rate per Sports Reference. However, his numbers dipped in his senior season as he only shot 30.5 percent from deep as a senior. Despite that, his free throw percentage hit a career-high of 85.1 percent on a 24.8 percent free throw rate. Free throw percentage is usually a better indicator of NBA three-point range, so there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for Thybulle’s shooting were he to be drafted by the Atlanta Hawks.

Beyond that, just take a minute to ponder these numbers: Thybulle is the only player in NCAA Men’s Basketball recorded history to produce over 100 rebounds, over 100 steals and over 70 blocks in a single season. Thybulle had an astonishing 111, 126 and 82 in those categories during the 2018-19 campaign.

Though these players might not be a panacea for the Atlanta Hawks, they all have plenty of upside as well as a fairly solid “worst outcome.” If GM Schlenk believes the 2019 NBA Draft to be a deep one, let’s see if he puts his money (well, the team’s money) where his mouth is by taking a gutsy swing on one of these players come draft day.