AJ Dybantsa’s BYU Cougars fell to the Texas Longhorns in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The star NBA prospect did everything he could, including scoring 35 points and grabbing 10 boards, to avoid the first-round loss.
Dybantsa is expected to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft, where he is projected to be drafted inside the top three picks alongside Kansas Jayhawks’ Darryn Peterson and Duke Blue Devils’ Cameron Boozer.
After the game, Dybantsa was asked if he wanted to remain associated with BYU even after joining the professional ranks.
“Yeah, for sure, a thousand percent,” Dybantsa said. “He was just saying, obviously, didn’t want the season to end like that, but he thanks us for letting him coach us. It was a choice that we had to come here, so he’s like, just thank you for choosing us, choosing BYU, and representing our school. I mean, super influential. I mean, if you see my senior year to my freshman year of college, I mean, y’all seen a big jump, and I was all credit to him.”
AJ Dybantsa Reflects “Right Decision” to Join BYU
AJ Dybantsa was one of the highest-rated recruits following his senior season in high school. Several top-notch programs wanted him, but he picked BYU to be his base for his only college basketball season before he chose to turn professional.
Despite what many thought, the Cougars endured an upset loss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, cutting Dybantsa’s season short too early. The team didn’t have the necessary depth outside of Dybantsa and that was exposed Thursday night.
Even though there were shortcomings on BYU’s end, Dybantsa doesn’t regret his decision to join the Cougars one bit.
“I love this place,” Dybantsa said. “I’m happy I chose here. I definitely made the right decision. I knew coming in I made the right decision. Ever since my visit with the coaching staff, how it’s just a family atmosphere, talking to the academic adviser, everything about this place, I’m just happy.
“As far as the season, it’s tough dealing with that type of adversity, but I’d rather do it with nobody else.”
Coming out of college basketball, Dybantsa is earning comparisons with a similar profile shared by two-time NBA Champion Kevin Durant. It remains to be seen where he gets picked in the NBA Draft.
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