Three weeks from now, the top basketball players worldwide will be heading to Paris to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics. Team USA’s roster, looking to secure their fifth consecutive gold medal, contains some of the most renowned players of the modern NBA, including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards, etc. Team Australia, which found success during the 2020 Tokyo Games, will also be using NBA star power. With Patty Mills and Joe Ingles returning to the squad, the team built upon their existing roster by including 21-year-old Josh Giddey. Unfortunately, a star player from the previous games has failed to make the cut.

A few hours ago, ESPN reported that the ‘Australian Boomers’ squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics has been finalized. The one name that was noticeably absent from the list was that of Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Matisse Thybulle. According to a social media update, the decision to exclude the 27-year-old was made despite his contribution during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Not only was Thybulle the leader in Defensive Rating during the tournament four years ago, but he also led all of his teammates and rivals in terms of overall steals while ranking 8th in blocks. The 18 steals he made during the six Olympic games were almost twice that of Team USA star Jrue Holiday (10 steals).

Other than steals, Thybulle also secured an average score of 7.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists during the tournament. During the matchup against Slovenia, he made heads turn after putting up an efficient defense against NBA star Luka Doncic. Thanks to his contribution, the Australian Boomers were able to secure bronze, the first-ever Olympic medal that the international team was able to bring back home.

Given Thybulle’s contribution, the player was considered a favorite to join the team for the upcoming Olympics. He even gave an interview to ESPN in which he claimed that the squad would be playing “at tempo, at pace and downhill.”

Thybulle is not the only shocking omission from the list, as Australian coach Brian Goorjian has also let go of the other star players like Chris Goulding, Xavier Cooks, Dejan Vasiljevic, and Jack White. According to ‘The Advertiser,’ while no official reason has been given for the decision to exclude Thybulle, speculations suggest that it has been done to focus more on three-time Olympian and 2016 NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova, along with point guard Daniels, as the team’s primary defensive players. Despite being young, Josh Giddey is reportedly being placed as the main man of the eight-player squad, serving as the point guard. Therefore, his position saves him from being cut out of the team.

Josh Giddey wants to use World Cup loss as motivation to fuel Olympics dream

Australia’s loss in the 2023 FIBA World Cup left a “sour taste” for the Boomers squad, including Giddey. Despite not securing any medal, the player was named the ‘FIBA Basketball World Cup Rising Star’ during the tournament. However, the youngster will be looking for the ultimate prize in the Olympics and the World Cup loss might act as a motivating factor.

During a team presser a few days ago, Giddey highlighted his belief that Australian basketball “is as good as it’s ever been.” He credited the veterans who ran the team program and highlighted how more and more aspiring players from his country are getting the chance to play in the NBA. Due to this, he believed that failing to reach the quarter-finals during the FIBA World Cup should not be considered the best that Team Australia can offer.

“We know we had a sour taste from the World Cup left in our mouths, for that to finish the way it did wasn’t good for any of us,” said Giddey. “So, we’re very happy to be able to go to Paris now with another chance to get up on that podium with a gold medal. It’s exciting, we’ve got a great group of guys.”

Unfortunately, Matisse Thybulle will not be a member of this “great group of guys.” Whether excluding the shooting guard from the roster turns out to be an advantage or disadvantage for Australia remains to be seen.

Before leaving, check out some insights that Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared about the Lakers legend’s infamous feud with the late Kobe Bryant.