2026 NBA Draft Profile

Overview
AJ Dybantsa arrived on the national stage before most prospects finish their sophomore year of high school, earning Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year honors as a freshman at Saint Sebastian’s and leading the Nike Peach Jam in scoring at 25.8 points per game. Born in Boston and raised in Brockton, the forward reclassified from 2026 to 2025, collected a McDonald’s All-American nod and won FIBA U19 World Cup MVP after helping Team USA capture gold for a third straight summer. He committed to BYU as the highest-ranked recruit in program history. As a freshman, Dybantsa averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 34.8 minutes per game on 51.0%/33.1%/77.4% shooting splits across 35 starts. Dybantsa earned the Julius Erving Award, consensus first-team All-American, Big 12 Freshman of the Year and the NCAA scoring title.

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Analysis
At 6’9″ with a 210-pound frame, he powers across the lane, creates separation with subtle footwork and rises into fading jumpers. Dybantsa’s array of self-creation moves should translate to the NBA level. He finishes above the rim when the lane opens and draws free throws, putting constant pressure on defenses. He has the vision and length to make cross-court passes and was one of the most efficient pick-and-roll ballhandlers in Division I. The three-point shot has room to grow, but his touch inside the arc and his willingness to get to the line keep his scoring efficiency high regardless. Defensively, his size, lateral mobility and competitive motor give him the tools to switch across multiple positions.

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Projection
Dybantsa projects as a high-usage, multi-level scoring wing who can create his own shot from anywhere inside 20 feet, get to the free throw line and switch across positions on the other end. His combination of size, coordination and shotmaking ability from the midrange is rare and can draw comparisons to NBA talent like Jaylen Brown, DeMar DeRozan and a bigger version of Tracy McGrady. Dybantsa has the tools to be a franchise centerpiece. He will step into a starting role from Day 1 and carry a significant offensive load from the jump.

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Career Highlights

• 2025-26 consensus All-America First Team selection.
• 2025-26 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year.
• Finalist for the 2025-26 Naismith and Wooden National Player of the Year awards.
• 2025-26 Big 12 Freshman of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.
• Ranked the No. 1 prospect by ESPN in the Class of 2025.
• Three-time gold medalist with USA Basketball, including as MVP of the 2025 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup.

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Freshman (2025-26)

• Led the nation in scoring (25.5 ppg), total points (894), field goals made (308) and free throws made (229).
• First player in Big 12 history to post 30+ points, 10+ rebounds and 10+ assists in a game (vs. Eastern Washington on Dec. 22).
• Broke BYU’s freshman scoring record with 43 points against Utah (Jan. 24).
• Set the Big 12 Tournament freshman scoring record with 40 points vs. Kansas State (March 10).
• First freshman with 30+ points in his NCAA Tournament debut since Stephen Curry in 2007.

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Strengths

• Dynamic wing with advanced shot-making ability.
• Elite athlete; creates advantages off the bounce.
• Fluid ball handler with developing playmaking instincts.
• Versatile defender with tools to guard multiple positions.

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Personal

• Father, Anicet Sr. (“Ace”), emigrated from the Republic of Congo to France before settling in the Boston area.
• Mother, Chelsea, emigrated from Jamaica to the U.S.
• Favorite NBA player is Kevin Durant.
• Spider-Man fan.

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Go Figure
Dybantsa scored 894 points in 2025-26, the third most by a freshman in a season in NCAA Division I history.

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Quotable
“He reminds me a lot of, it’s a combination of that serious-minded focus that I saw in Devin Booker and the work ethic that I saw in Kevin Durant. He has that type of maturity. He carries himself like he has already been a pro for 10 years.”
— BYU head coach and former NBA assistant coach Kevin Young, to ESPN

— Profile by RotoWire.com with additional info from the official NBA Draft Media Guide