AJ Dybantsa declares for NBA draft: How does he project at the next level?
After a remarkable freshman season at BYU, 19-year-old forward AJ Dybantsa officially announced that he will declare for the 2026 NBA Draft. Dybantsa will turn pro as an early entry candidate after a successful and impressive one-and-done collegiate campaign. The former McDonald's All-American forward averaged 25.
5 points, 6. 8 rebounds, 3. 7 assists and 1.
1 steals per game. He is currently projected at No. 1 overall to the Washington Wizards in USA TODAY's latest mock draft .
Dybantsa led the NCAA in scoring and was named a consensus first-team collegiate All-American, also earning Big 12 Freshman of the Year and the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award. During his sole appearance in March Madness, he scored 35 points with 10 rebounds. It was one of eight games in which he had at least 30 points, highlighted by a 43-point performance against in-rival Utah.
Dybantsa also notched a 30-point triple double against Eastern Washington in December. Dybantsa led the nation in unassisted points scored, per CBB Analytics , and is able to inject instant life in whichever NBA team selects him. While he is listed at 6-foot-9, the playmaking forward finished more of his possessions as the ball handler in pick and roll sets than any other play type.