The BYU Cougars may have taken a surprising loss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but freshman star AJ Dybantsa had a breakout season and rose to the top of most NBA mock drafts.
Dybantsa’s tremendous season helped put him alongside Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and Duke’s Cameron Boozer as the three prospects that most being drafted first.
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With concerns about Boozer’s athleticism and questions about Peterson’s health and availability, Dybantsa may have the strongest case to be the first pick.
At 6’9″ with a solid frame, elite agility and explosive athleticism, Dybantsa is lethal on the offensive end. He’s a nightmare to guard in transition and can get past almost any defender to reach the rim.
He’s certainly not afraid of contact and is more than willing to put his body on the line. All of these physical tools, combined with a smooth jumpshot, make Dybantsa a tremendous scoring threat from all three levels.
He led the NCAA in scoring this season at 25.5 points per game, showcasing his ability to be a No. 1 option on offense.
He’s a solid catch-and-shoot shooter, but his bread and butter is on-ball shot creation. He boasts crafty footwork and quick decision making off the dribble.
When he’s not dunking on a defender, Dybantsa is likely to use one of the many moves in his arsenal to create an open midrange jumper.
The 19-year-old only took 4.2 threes per game for BYU, sinking 33.1% of them. While he’s not en elite sharpshooter, his shooting mechanics are sound. A high release point means his long-range shooting should be relatively easy to develop at the NBA level.
Throughout his freshman year, he made significant leaps as a playmaker and decision-maker. He’s become comfortable with facilitating an offense as the ball handler in pick-and-roll actions. He’s likely to play at the SG or SF positions in the NBA, so his serviceable playmaking ability will boost his draft stock.
On the defensive end, he’s displayed a strong level of switchability, even if his steals and blocks totals aren’t eye-catching. HIs skills on defense are certainly his biggest weakness.
His off-ball instincts haven’t been spectacular either, but that’s another area that can improve at the pro level.
Dybantsa’s offensive brilliance more than makes up for the questions marks on the defensive end. As an overall shot creator, he’s by far the most impressive player in this draft class.
Peterson and Boozer are tremendous prospects, but Dybantsa is the most NBA-ready of the three. The team that ultimately lands the top pick should strongly consider taking him at No. 1.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
