Potential No. 1 pick and BYU star AJ Dybantsa is headed for the 2026 NBA Draft, he announced on social media Thursday.
Dybantsa is coming off a spectacular freshman season for the Cougars. He led all Division I players in scoring with 25.5 points to go along with 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 51% from the field.
The 19-year-old made the AP All-American First Team while breaking Kevin Durant’s record for the most points scored in a single Big 12 tournament run.
He boasts an elite skillset rarely seen in a player his size. At 6’9” with a long wingspan, he has an explosive first step and ridiculous bounce, but his athleticism is far from his only strength.
Dybansta also has a deep bag of offensive moves and loves to hit defenders with a pull-up midrange jumper. A high release point makes his shot hard to contest and he’s a solid three-point shooter as well.
In terms of an NBA comparison, envision a mix of Jaylen Brown and Brandon Ingram.
When it comes to pure scoring ability, Dybantsa is the best player in this draft while also having the highest ceiling.
Regardless of which team ends up with the top pick, he will be a major consideration.
Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and Duke’s Cameron Boozer are expected to declare for the draft as well and join Dybantsa somewhere in the top three.
James Parker contributed to this story.
