A.J. Dybantsa is projected to be selected first overall in the 2026 NBA draft after his breakout freshman season with the BYU Cougars. In 35 games, the small forward averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He shot 51% from the field, including 33.1% from beyond the arc.
Despite what could be considered a great season statistically, Dybantsa failed to lead BYU deeper in March Madness. The No. 6 Cougars were upset by the No. 11 seed Texas Longhorns in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
On Sunday, Dybantsa joined Stephen A. Smith’s show, where he admitted that his freshman season was disappointing. The forward exploded for 35 points and 10 rebounds in that game, but he regrets that he won’t be able to tell his kid that he won an NCAA Tournament game.
“Disappointing,” Dybantsa told Smith when asked about his freshman season. “Lost in the first round NCAA Tournament. Can’t even tell my kids I won a tournament game.”
Dybantsa explained further that the reason behind their early exit can be attributed to both health and poor play.
“It was a little bit of both. Obviously, health-wise we had like six injuries, but also, I mean, just playing badly like we could have played way better that game,” Dybantsa said.
A.J. Dybantsa Had to Convince His Mom About Turning Pro After One Year
The highest-rated player in the 2025 class, A.J. Dybantsa, was always expected to declare for the draft after his freshman season. Still, there was some faith that the small forward could return for the sophomore season.
The Cougars star revealed to Stephen A. Smith that his mother wanted him to return for another year.
“So, they actually had hope that I was coming back, right? Okay. So, mom was hoping that,” Dybantsa said.
Dybantsa added that it was his father and his promise that convinced his mother to turn professional after his freshman season.
“Yeah, it was a little bit of both, but I told her I’d graduate if you let me go to the NBA after year one,” Dybantsa said. “It was that word. She already graduated. She was like, ‘Okay, you can go.'”
Ahead of the 2026 NBA draft, Dybantsa has worked out with both the Washington Wizards and the Utah Jazz, the holders of the first two picks, respectively. He is challenged by Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer for the first pick.
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