AJ Dybantsa Teases Possible BYU Return on Video Amid 2026 NBA Draft Rumors Around No. 1 Pick

BYU star AJ Dybantsa figures to be one of the candidates for the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 NBA draft.

That is, if he enters the draft at all.

During a discussion with McKay Coppins of the Deseret Voices podcast, Dybantsa said "well, I might not leave" when asked if he believes he will be the top pick. "My mom wants me to graduate. Yeah, so I might not leave. But I might leave."

He continued and pointed out that even though people assume he is leaving, he hasn't publicly said anything or decided to this point.

Still, it would be stunning if the forward returned to BYU for another season, especially since he could always return to college to get that degree after his basketball career is over.

The freshman is averaging 24.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 53 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from deep on the season. He can do everything on the offensive side with the ability to hit from the outside, attack off the bounce and finish through contact while also facilitating if needed.

AJ Dybantsa Show

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Dybantsa has six games this season with more than 30 points, including when he exploded for 43 on 15-of-24 shooting from the field and 4-of-5 shooting from three-point range during a victory over Utah in January.

He also posted a triple-double in a December win over Eastern Washington and finished one assist shy of another one last month against Iowa State.

NBA teams have surely noticed, and B/R's Jonathan Wasserman projected him as the No. 1 overall pick in Tuesday's mock draft ahead of Kansas' Darryn Peterson (No. 2) and Duke's Cameron Boozer (No. 3).

"There are still believers and support for Darryn Peterson at No. 1," Wasserman wrote. "But right now with AJ Dybantsa, there is equal excitement over his trajectory and in-season development—and less perceived risk or questions."

However, there may be a question about whether he will even enter the draft this year.