AJ Dybantsa Officially Enters NBA Draft – Deseret News

Bassyonni

Published: April 23, 2026 1:08 PM ET

AJ Dybantsa Officially Enters NBA Draft – Deseret News

AJ Dybantsa has officially declared his intention to enter the 2026 NBA Draft, a decision announced on social media on Thursday morning. The talented freshman from BYU expressed gratitude towards his coaches, teammates, and his faith, attributing his success to their support.

Remarkable Freshman Season

Dybantsa’s debut collegiate season was nothing short of spectacular. He led the nation in scoring, averaging 25.5 points per game. His impressive performance earned him a spot as a First Team All-America selection, making him only the third player in BYU history to achieve this honor.

Statistics and Achievements

Points per game: 25.5
Rebounds per game: 6.8
Assists per game: 3.7
Steals per game: 1.1
Total points in the season: 894 (2nd in BYU’s history)
Games scoring 20 or more points: 28 out of 35
Games scoring over 30 points: 8 instances

In the NCAA Tournament, Dybantsa showcased his skills with notable performances, including 35 points and 10 rebounds in a first-round loss against Texas. His other standout games featured a 43-point effort against Utah, 40 points against Kansas State, and a triple-double with 33 points against Eastern Washington.

Acknowledgments and Future Prospects

Apart from being an All-America selection, Dybantsa earned various accolades, including:

First Team All-Big 12 selection
League’s Freshman of the Year
Julius Erving Award for best small forward

With high expectations set during his historic commitment to BYU in late 2024, Dybantsa exceeded the hype as a Cougar. As he prepares for the next level, he is projected to be the top overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

Draft Lottery Insights

The NBA Draft Lottery is scheduled for May 10, which will determine the teams competing for Dybantsa’s talent. The organizations with the highest odds to secure the first pick include: