AJ Dybantsa Reveals Muscle Gain, Diet to Stephen A. Smith in New Video amid NBA Draft Rumors

Ahead of Tuesday's 2026 NBA draft, top prospect AJ Dybantsa revealed the progress he's made over the last few months.

During an appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show (4:59 mark), Dybantsa told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that he's gained 8.5 pounds since the end of his freshman season at BYU and now weighs "like 219-220." When asked how much of his weight gain was muscle, Dybantsa replied, "All of it," revealing that his strict diet consisted of brown rice, asparagus and chicken.

Dybantsa is known as a downhill driver who relentlessly attacks the rim, so he will have to improve his frame if he hopes to keep up with the physicality of the NBA. Still, the 19-year-old is expected to have a bright future at the next level, and he can reach his full potential as his body continues to develop.

B/R's Jonathan Wasserman predicted in his final mock draft that Dybantsa would be the No. 1 overall pick by the Washington Wizards.

"Dybantsa's positional size, advanced footwork for creation, high-level shotmaking, 25.5 points per game and competitiveness suggest he may be too rare of a scoring prospect to pass on," Wasserman stated. "With the front office invested in developing Tre Johnson and Alex Sarr, leaving room for a small forward to start and grow could give Dybantsa added fit value in Washington."

Dybantsa isn't guaranteed to land in the nation's capital, as ESPN's Jermy Woo reported that the Wizards "narrowed their decision" to him or Kansas guard Darryn Peterson.

However, Dybantsa is the more physically gifted prospect of the two of them, and Woo added that he "is still considered by rival teams to be the favorite."