BYU's AJ Dybantsa, potential top pick, declares for draft

Field Level Media|published: Thu 23rd April, 13:13 2026

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) shoots against Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

As expected, BYU forward AJ Dybantsa declared Thursday for the 2026 NBA Draft.

He made the announcement in his hometown of Brockton, Mass., at the Davis School, which he attended as a child.

The 6-foot-9 Dybantsa likely will be one of the top three picks in the draft. Fellow freshmen Darryn Peterson of Kansas and Cameron Boozer of Duke join Dybantsa as potential No. 1 picks.

The top-ranked player in the high school Class of 2025, Dybantsa won numerous national postseason awards as he broke 19 BYU freshman season and single-game records.

A consensus first team All-American, he also was named to the All-Big 12 first team and was the conference's Freshman of the Year.

He started 35 games for the Cougars and led the nation with 25.5 points per game. His 894 points were the third-most by a freshman in NCAA Division I men's basketball history.

He added 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 51.0% shooting from the field and 33.1% from 3-point territory.

Dybantsa became one of two players in Big 12 history with a 30/10/10 triple-double when he had 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against Eastern Washington on Dec. 22, 2025. David Harrison also had a 30/10/10 triple-double for Colorado in 2002.

The top draft candidates will watch the NBA Draft Lottery with interest as the selection order is determined. That is scheduled for May 10 at 3 p.m. ET in Chicago, with the draft to be held June 23 and 24.

--Field Level Media

Latest