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AJ Dybantsa of the Brigham Young Cougars reacts after sinking a three-pointer against the Utah Utes.
One of college basketball’s brightest stars may not be a lock to enter the NBA Draft after all.
BYU freshman sensation AJ Dybantsa — widely projected as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft — stunned fans and analysts this week when he suggested he might return to the Cougars next season.
During a discussion with McKay Coppins on the Deseret Voices podcast, Dybantsa revealed that leaving college after his freshman season is not a certainty.
“Well, I might not leave,” Dybantsa said when asked about his NBA future. “My mom wants me to graduate. Yeah, so I might not leave. But I might leave.”
The comment immediately raised eyebrows across the college basketball world, where Dybantsa has been widely expected to declare for the draft and compete for the top overall selection.
AJ Dybantsa NBA Draft Decision Suddenly Uncertain
Dybantsa’s statement comes as the BYU star continues to cement his status as one of the most dominant freshmen in the country.
The dynamic wing is currently leading college basketball in scoring at 24.9 points per game, making him one of the most electrifying players in the nation and a centerpiece of what many evaluators believe could be one of the strongest freshman classes in years.
Dybantsa is widely viewed as a top candidate to go No. 1 overall alongside Darryn Peterson of Kansas and Cameron Boozer of Duke.
Still, the 19-year-old made it clear his decision remains far from finalized.
“Like, I don’t know,” Dybantsa said. “The fans might get into my head talking about one more year, maybe three more years — I don’t know. But I’m going to have to talk to my mom.”
He added with a smile: “People can assume whatever they want. I’m not saying anything.”
Family and BYU Fans Could Influence Decision
According to Dybantsa, two major factors could influence whether he stays in Provo for another season: family and the BYU fan base.
“My mom’s a big part of it,” he said. “The fan base too.”
The freshman star said the support from BYU fans during difficult stretches of the season has made a strong impression on him.
“Even during the four-game losing streak we had, they showed up and showed out trying to distract the other team from missing free throws,” Dybantsa said. “So the fan base and the people treat me well here.”
His mother’s influence also extends beyond basketball.
Dybantsa revealed that she has encouraged him to think about life after his playing career.
“I haven’t chosen yet, but I’ll probably do financial management,” he said. “My mom is thinking about post-basketball, and God forbid if anything happens to me, I should always have a backup plan.”
BYU Basketball Riding AJ Dybantsa’s Historic Freshman Season
Dybantsa’s comments come during a remarkable debut season with the Cougars.
BYU enters the final week of the regular season with a 20–9 record and is projected as a No. 7 seed in CBS Sports’ latest NCAA Tournament bracketology projections.
The Cougars have leaned heavily on Dybantsa since losing star guard Richie Saunders to a season-ending ACL injury earlier this year.
The freshman phenom has responded by elevating his production even further.
Dybantsa has scored 20 or more points in eight consecutive games, carrying the offensive load as BYU pushes toward another NCAA Tournament appearance.
NBA Scouts Still View Dybantsa as Potential No. 1 Pick
Despite his comments about potentially returning to college, NBA scouts remain extremely high on Dybantsa’s professional prospects.
Bleacher Report draft analyst Jonathan Wasserman recently projected the BYU star as the No. 1 overall pick in his latest mock draft.
“There are still believers and support for Darryn Peterson at No. 1,” Wasserman wrote on Tuesday. “But right now with AJ Dybantsa, there is equal excitement over his trajectory and in-season development — and less perceived risk or questions.”
Wasserman noted that Dybantsa’s shot creation and overall offensive versatility have separated him from many peers.
ESPN draft analyst Jeremy Woo also ranked Dybantsa among the top prospects in his February big board, calling him Peterson’s “most direct competitor” for the No. 1 spot.
“NBA execs widely view Dybantsa as Peterson’s most direct competitor for the No. 1 spot because of the forward’s combination of positional size, strength and explosiveness coupled with strong production,” Woo wrote in February.
Woo added that Dybantsa’s offensive upside remains enormous as he continues to refine his ball-handling, perimeter shooting and defensive engagement.
Could College Basketball’s Top Star Actually Stay?
For now, Dybantsa appears focused on finishing the season strong and leading BYU into March Madness.
But his candid comments have introduced a fascinating possibility: the nation’s most electrifying freshman — and perhaps the future No. 1 pick — could return to college basketball for another season.
If that happens, it would instantly reshape the 2026 NBA Draft conversation and make BYU one of the most intriguing teams in the country next year.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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