Matisse Thybulle first Washington player to win Pac-12 DPOTY award

The Washington Basketball team played hard this season, but no player moreso than defensive standout Matisse Thybulle. His defensive prowess earned him the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year award

The Washington Basketball team was not known for stout defense in years past. But all the while, a young wing by the name of Matisse Thybulle bucked that trend. As other players raced to the hoop to score, Thybulle was content to disrupt the passing lanes with his deceptively long reach. As teammates aimed at points per game, Thybulle was content to block and steal. In fact, he almost seemed to prefer frustrating opposing players over scoring baskets. He was a contrarian.

But he found an ally this…