Will AJ Dybantsa Be No. 1 Pick? Latest Rumors on Landing Spot from NBA Draft Scouts
BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa should hear his name called early in the 2026 NBA draft, but the exact pick that he'll be selected with reportedly remains uncertain.
According to Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, Dybantsa is "still being talked about" as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft by NBA scouts that see a "serious blend of production already mixed with upside."
There's also a feeling that he's the "third guy in the conversation right now" behind Kansas guard Darryn Peterson and Duke forward Cameron Boozer, per Vecenie.
Dybantsa has showcased his volume scoring and athletic finishing ability to begin the 2025-26 season, averaging 19.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 54.4 percent from the field and 35.0 percent from three-point territory.
Still, defensive concerns could cause a front office to hesitate when considering Dybantsa with the top pick in the 2026 draft.
"He has been unimpressive on defense, missing off-ball rotations and box-outs too often while also not producing much in the steal or block columns despite his immense athleticism and length," Vecenie wrote Thursday. "Offensively, his handle leaves something to be desired, and teams are starting to blitz his ball screens to make him uncomfortable."
Dybantsa was projected to be selected with the No. 3 choice in the most recent 2026 mock draft from Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman. Peterson and Boozer were off the board with the first two picks, respectively.
"He can be too reliant on one-on-one play, and he's struggled on catch-and-shoot attempts early on," Wasserman wrote regarding Dybantsa. "Shot selection and decision-making are the only question marks that could turn scouts off when assessing Dybantsa versus Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer."
In order to boost his draft stock, the 18-year-old will be looking to improve his all-around game as he continues to navigate through his inaugural year with the Cougars.
