AJ Dybantsa vs. Darryn Peterson Reportedly 'Real Debate' for 2026 NBA Draft No. 1 Pick

A year out from the 2026 NBA draft, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson and BYU wing A.J. Dybantsa remain the "two strongest contenders" to be the top overall pick, according to ESPN's Jeremy Woo.

The draft analyst pegged Peterson as "the slight frontrunner, as he's considered one of the most dynamic scoring guard prospects to enter the college ranks in some time, and built momentum with a strong high school senior season."

But he added that NBA teams he's spoken to view it as a "real debate at this stage. Both players will have more to prove as one-and-done freshmen, creating a major storyline entering the fall."

Peterson was the top-ranked recruit in the Class of 2025, according to 247Sports' Composite Rankings, while Dybantsa was right behind him at No. 2.

Duke's Cameron Boozer, Tennessee's Nate Ament and Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr. rounded out the top five.