Eastside Catholic School is proud to announce the retirement of Matisse Thybulle’s basketball jersey (#4) in a heartfelt ceremony on Wednesday, October 9, celebrating his outstanding achievements as an EC graduate, professional basketball player and exceptional individual.

Athletic Director Stacey Stoutt shared her admiration for Matisse’s accomplishments: “We are incredibly proud to retire Matisse Thybulle’s jersey here at Eastside Catholic. Matisse is not only a phenomenal athlete but also a remarkable human being who exemplifies hard work, humility and integrity both on and off the court. His journey from the Crusaders to the NBA is a testament to his relentless dedication, and we are thrilled to celebrate his legacy. He has inspired so many, and it’s an honor to recognize the lasting impact he’s had on our community.”

Matisse reflected on his time at Eastside Catholic and the significance of having his jersey retired: “My time at Eastside Catholic was special; some of the most formative years of my life. Coming back and seeing my #4 jersey retired is a full-circle moment of my basketball journey. The entire Crusader community embraced me and I am forever grateful to have been a part of this school.”

Matisse’s Eastside Catholic Legacy

While at Eastside Catholic, Matisse made a name for himself as a basketball player and a well-rounded student-athlete who thrived both academically and socially. Matisse averaged 11.8 points per game during his junior year, leading the team to the 2014 State Championship against Rainier Beach. By his senior year, he elevated his performance to 18.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, earning First Team All-Metro honors. He graduated as Washington State’s top-ranked small forward and the 76th best player in the nation.

Previous Head Basketball Coach Bill Liley stated: “As talented and entertaining as Matisse Thybulle was as a basketball player at Eastside Catholic, he was an even better person and beloved teammate.  Matisse wasn't just a basketball player. I loved that he truly enjoyed being an EC student and immersed himself in the culture of the school. Matisse was an excellent student, built quality, long-lasting relationships, and took pride in being a true servant leader in the school and among his classmates.

High School Mathematics Teacher Danielle Maletta provided her perspective of Matisse from the classroom: “He was a gifted athlete, a natural leader, and an excellent student. But no matter what his accomplishments, he was always humble. Matisse wasn’t just a good student-athlete, he was, and continues to be, a spectacular human!”

College Success and NBA Journey

After high school, Matisse continued his basketball career at the University of Washington, where his reputation as a defensive powerhouse only grew. During his collegiate career, he started in every game, amassing a streak of 135 consecutive games. His numerous accolades include:

• Two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year (2018, 2019)
• First-Team All-Pac-12 (2019)
• Naismith Defensive Player of the Year (2019)
• Pac-12 Career Steals Leader (331)

In the 2019 NBA Draft, Matisse was selected 20th overall by the Boston Celtics and traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, where he earned a reputation as one of the league’s elite defenders. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team twice and quietly supported numerous charitable causes, including fighting food insecurity and improving inner-city basketball courts.

Olympic Success and Portland Trail Blazers

Matisse’s career took on an international spotlight in 2021 when he represented Australia in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, helping the team secure its first-ever Olympic bronze medal. Averaging 7.8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists per game, he was instrumental in Australia’s historic success.

Currently playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, Matisse continues to excel on the court. During his first full season with the team, he averaged 5.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

Eastside Catholic is immensely proud of Matisse Thybulle’s achievements and the example he sets for future Crusaders. His jersey retirement is not just a celebration of his success on the court but of his character, leadership and dedication to making a difference in the world.