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BYU's AJ Dybantsa, the potential No. 1 overall pick, declares for 2026 NBA Draft: What makes him so good?
TL;DR
AJ Dybantsa has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft after an impressive season at BYU, where he averaged 25.5 points and was named a first-team All-American. He is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick.
Key points
- AJ Dybantsa declared for the 2026 NBA Draft
- He averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists
- Dybantsa is projected as the No. 1 overall pick
- He broke Kevin Durant's freshman scoring record in the Big 12 Tournament
- BYU finished the season with a 23-12 record
Big 12 TournamentKevin DurantAJ DybantsaBYU Cougars
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AJ Dybantsa has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft, he announced Thursday. The decision comes after the BYU standout produced one of the best scoring seasons by a one-and-done prospect in college basketball history. The 6-foot-9 forward is the projected No. 1 overall pick in this summer's draft and departs BYU after earning first-team All-American honors from CBS Sports.
Dybantsa finished the 2025-26 campaign averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 51% from the floor. He led the nation in scoring and helped BYU to a 23-12 record. He led the Cougars to the NCAA Tournament, where they lost in the first round to Texas.
Dybantsa produced plenty of memorable moments during his lone season with the Cougars. In his Big 12 Tournament debut, he scored 40 points in a win over Kansas State, breaking Kevin Durant's record for most points by a freshman in tournament history. That performance marked his second outing with at least 40 points.
In his final game at BYU, he recorded his first and only college double-double with 35 points and 10 rebounds. The 35 points are the third most by a freshman in NCAA Tournament history, behind Darius Acuff Jr. (36) and De'Aaron Fox (39).
While Dybantsa is currently the favorite to go No. 1 this summer, the top of the draft remains unsettled. Other contenders include Duke's Cameron Boozer and Kansas' Darryn Peterson. North Carolina's Caleb Wilson also projects as a top-four pick.
AJ Dybantsa's NBA Draft projection
Q&A
What are AJ Dybantsa's stats for the 2025-26 season?
AJ Dybantsa averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 51% from the field during the 2025-26 season.
Why is AJ Dybantsa considered the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft?
Dybantsa is considered the potential No. 1 overall pick due to his outstanding scoring ability, leading the nation in points and earning first-team All-American honors.
What notable records did AJ Dybantsa break during his college career?
Dybantsa broke Kevin Durant's record for the most points scored by a freshman in a Big 12 Tournament game, scoring 40 points against Kansas State.
How did BYU perform in the NCAA Tournament with AJ Dybantsa?
BYU, led by AJ Dybantsa, finished the season with a 23-12 record but lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Texas.
