Gun rookie eyes Tokyo
AUSTRALIA’S hopes of a men’s basketball medal at the Tokyo Olympics have received a major boost with Philadelphia 76ers rookie Matisse Thybulle saying he is excited at the prospect of wearing green and gold.
Thybulle said his Australian passport and citizenship are valid and he would even eat Vegemite to prove himself a true blue member of the Boomers. “If that’s what it takes I might but if I don’t have to I’m not going to,” a grimacing Thybulle said
The LA Clippers beat the 76ers 136-130 in LA yesterday, with Thybulle scoring seven points.
The 22-year-old, 196cm tall shooting guard/small forward was born in the US but at the age of two moved with father Greg and mother Elizabeth to Sydney. The family spent seven years in Australia, his sister Chloe was born in Sydney and Thybulle is a dual citizen.
“I think it will be an exciting opportunity,” he said.
“My Australian passport is up-to-date. My citizenship is still active.” Thybulle said he would make a final decision on playing in Tokyo at the end of the NBA season.
The defensive specialist would be a huge plus for an Australian squad hit with a string of injuries.
Thybulle’s 76ers All-Star Australian teammate Ben Simmons is under a potential injury cloud for the rest of the season and Tokyo with a nerve impingement in his lower back. Injury-prone Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dante Exum has also been sidelined with an ankle injury.
Thybulle was born in the US and spent most of his life in America. He said Simmons and Brett Brown, coach of the 76ers and Boomers, have been supportive of his desire to play for Australia.
Simmons was adamant at last month’s All-Star game Thybulle would play in Tokyo. “It’s really exciting they have my back and they want me to play and be a part of it,” Thybulle said.
The NBA Playoffs begin on April 18 and the Olympics start July 24. The Clippers loss was the latest stumble for the 76ers who sit fifth in the Eastern Conference, have lost 22 of 31 road games and could be bundled out of the playoffs early.
The 76ers were without Simmons and All-Star centre Joel Embiid, who has a shoulder sprain.
Adding to their woes starting guard Josh Richardson suffered a suspected concussion against the Clippers.