AJ Dybantsa: NBA draft scouting report and intel

6-9 | 210 lbs | 7-0 WS | Freshman

Team: BYU

Position: PF/SF

Agent: Management Plus

Best aggregate mock draft rank: Best rank: 1 / Worst rank: 3

2025-26 stats: 24.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.1 spg, 0.4 bpg, 53.0% FG, 36.3% 3P in 29 games this season

Strengths

* Elite three-level scorer with true primary option upside. He creates offense from isolation, transition, halfcourt sets, and late-clock situations while carrying a heavy offensive load.

* He projects as one of the best isolation scorers and transition players in the class, with scouts consistently calling him the best iso player and best fast-break player in the draft.

* Explosive athlete with rare burst, coordination, and body control for a 6’9” wing. He gets downhill fast, plays above the rim, and finishes through contact with strong core strength.

* Excellent foul-drawing ability with a strong .490 free throw rate. He initiates contact instead of avoiding it and consistently wins physical battles at the rim.

* Advanced footwork and shot creation package stand out for his age. Uses spin-backs, step-throughs, pull-throughs, counters, and polished footwork that resemble veteran NBA wings.

* Smooth off-the-catch scorer who attacks immediately. His first step is quick, and he creates separation without needing excessive dribbles.

* Strong midrange and tough shot-making profile. He can make difficult pull-ups and contested jumpers that most prospects cannot even attempt.

* Flashes real secondary playmaking with 3.7 APG, including several high-level passing games like a 10-assist triple-double and multiple 7+ assist performances.

* Defensive upside is very high because of his size, athleticism, and mobility. He can switch across multiple positions and shows strong recovery speed in transition.

* If the shooting, handle tightening, and playmaking do not improve enough, there is a risk he becomes more of a scoring specialist than a true offensive engine.

Weaknesses

* Shot selection can become inefficient. He settles for difficult contested midrange jumpers instead of consistently attacking the rim where he is most dominant.

* Outside shooting remains the biggest swing skill. While capable from three, 33.1% on 4.2 attempts per game shows he is not yet a reliable high-volume NBA spacer.

* Can become a ball-stopper offensively. He sometimes over-dribbles, slows the offense, and shows limited offensive flow when defenses trap or send doubles.

* Playmaking consistency still needs work despite flashes. His 3.1 turnovers per game and mixed assist-to-turnover ratio show delayed reads under pressure.

* Strong right-hand dominance. He does not drive left often and needs more counters when defenses sit on his preferred attack path.

* Defensive engagement can be inconsistent. Scouts note lapses in focus, especially off-ball or when carrying a heavy scoring burden.

* Halfcourt decision-making can stall against loaded defenses. He occasionally struggles reading double teams quickly and can force difficult shots instead of moving the ball.

* Limited block production for his physical tools (0.3 BPG) suggests his weak-side rim protection impact is not yet a major part of his game.

* Some concerns about whether tough shot reliance translates as efficiently at the NBA level if the jumper does not become more consistent.

* If the shooting, handle tightening, and playmaking do not improve enough, there is risk he becomes more of a scoring specialist than a true offensive engine.

Scout's Notes:

In January, multiple coaches and scouts HoopsHype spoke with noted that he has played weaker competition than the other Top 3, but his athleticism, paired with a 6-foot-9, 7-foot-plus wingspan, embodies the prototype modern combo forward.

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: AJ Dybantsa: NBA draft scouting report and intel