AJ Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 forward from BYU, has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft and is widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick. He left BYU after a stellar "one-and-done" season, earning first-team All-American honors from CBS Sports and leading the nation in scoring. Dybantsa ranks No. 1 in the 2026 CBS Sports NBA Draft Prospect Rankings, with analyst Adam Finkelstein describing him as a forward with "elite physical tools" and a 7-foot wingspan, capable of creating his own shot and making gains in passing, finishing at the rim, and three-point shooting. His offensive versatility allows him to play four positions, score effectively in the mid-range, attack the paint, and draw fouls.
Dybantsa’s decision to attend BYU was praised by Big 12 analyst Fran Fraschilla, who highlighted the program’s NBA-experienced coaching staff, player development resources, and exposure to strong competition in the Big 12 Conference. BYU provided him with an NBA strength coach (Michael Davie, formerly with the Milwaukee Bucks), an NBA nutritionist (Danielle LaFata, formerly with the Phoenix Suns), and NBA analytics staff (Akash Sebastian, formerly with the Suns, Jazz, and Kings). This environment, along with playing in sold-out 18,000-seat arenas and securing substantial NIL deals, prepared him for the professional level.
His father, Ace Dybantsa, has independently managed his son’s career, opting against a traditional agent to keep more financial control. During his freshman year at BYU, Dybantsa led the nation with 25.5 points per game, along with 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists, shooting 51% from the field. His NIL valuation reached $7 million, making him one of college basketball’s most commercially valuable athletes. This independent business structure will face
