BYU forward AJ Dybantsa announced Thursday that he is entering the 2026 NBA Draft, where he is projected as the potential No. 1 overall pick. The 6-foot-9 standout led the nation in scoring during his lone college season with averages of 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He departs after helping the Cougars to a 23-12 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Dybantsa earned first-team All-American honors after a remarkable freshman year. He shot 51% from the floor and produced highlights like a 40-point game against Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament, breaking Kevin Durant's freshman tournament scoring record. In his final college outing, a first-round NCAA loss to Texas, he tallied 35 points and 10 rebounds for his only double-double, the third-highest scoring total by a freshman in tournament history, according to CBS Sports records. BYU finished 23-12 overall. CBS Sports draft analyst Adam Finkelstein praised Dybantsa's elite physical tools, calling him a 6-foot-9 wing with a 7-foot wingspan, elite athleticism and improved skills in passing, finishing and three-point shooting. While Dybantsa leads 2026 draft projections, Duke's Cameron Boozer, Kansas' Darryn Peterson and North Carolina's Caleb Wilson also loom as top prospects. The NBA Draft Lottery is set for May 10, with the Wizards, Pacers and Nets holding the best 14% odds for the top pick. At BYU, coach Kevin Young has built on recent success, including Egor Demin's No. 8 selection last year by the Nets. The program now adds transfers Collin Chandler from Kentucky, Tyler Betsey from Syracuse and Jake Wahlin from Clemson, plus five-star recruit Bruce Branch III.
