Getty
Forward AJ Dybantsa of the BYU Cougars controls the ball as he is defended by guard Darryn Peterson of the Kansas Jayhawks. Both college stars are candidates for No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
One of the projected top prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft may not be a lock to enter the league after all.
BYU freshman star AJ Dybantsa stunned basketball fans this week when he suggested he could return to college instead of declaring for the NBA Draft — a surprising possibility for a player widely viewed as a potential No. 1 overall pick.
Speaking during an appearance on the Deseret Voices podcast with McKay Coppins, Dybantsa acknowledged that his future remains undecided.
“Well, I might not leave,” Dybantsa said when asked about the NBA Draft. “My mom wants me to graduate. Yeah, so I might not leave. But I might leave.”
The comment immediately sparked buzz across NBA scouting circles and draft discussions, as the BYU star has been one of the most productive freshmen in the country this season.
AJ Dybantsa Emerging as Leading Candidate for No. 1 Pick
Despite the uncertainty about his future, Dybantsa’s NBA potential has rarely been questioned.
The explosive wing is currently leading all of college basketball in scoring at 24.9 points per game, powering BYU’s offense and cementing himself as one of the most dominant freshmen in recent years.
NBA evaluators widely consider him part of a three-player race for the No. 1 overall selection alongside Darryn Peterson of Kansas and Cameron Boozer of Duke.
Bleacher Report draft analyst Jonathan Wasserman recently projected Dybantsa as the No. 1 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 ability to create his own offense and generate efficient scoring opportunities has helped separate him from other prospects in the class.
Why the NBA Prospect Might Stay in College
While NBA teams are already closely monitoring his development, Dybantsa said several personal factors could influence his decision.
Family — particularly his mother — remains a central voice in the conversation.
“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 also emphasized the importance of having a long-term plan beyond basketball.
“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.”
Dybantsa also credited the passionate BYU fan base for making his college experience memorable.
“People can assume whatever they want,” he added. “I’m not saying anything. My mom’s a big part of it, and the fan base too. 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. The fan base and the people treat me well here.”
BYU Freshman Carrying Heavy Load During Breakout Season
Dybantsa’s comments come during a remarkable freshman campaign that has helped keep BYU in NCAA Tournament contention.
The Cougars hold a 20–9 record entering the final stretch of the regular season and are projected as a No. 7 seed in CBS Sports’ latest NCAA Tournament bracketology.
Since losing star guard Richie Saunders to a season-ending ACL injury, Dybantsa has taken on an even larger role offensively.
The freshman phenom has responded by scoring at least 20 points in eight straight games, demonstrating the type of offensive versatility NBA scouts covet.
NBA Scouts Still High on Dybantsa’s Ceiling
Even with his surprising remarks about potentially staying in school, NBA evaluators remain extremely bullish on Dybantsa’s long-term potential.
ESPN draft analyst Jeremy Woo recently ranked him among the very top prospects in his February big board, describing him as the most direct challenger to Peterson for the No. 1 pick.
“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.
He added that Dybantsa continues to show improvement as a playmaker and decision-maker as the season progresses.
A Decision That Could Reshape the 2026 NBA Draft
For now, Dybantsa appears focused on finishing the season strong and leading BYU into the NCAA Tournament.
But his candid remarks have introduced a fascinating possibility into the NBA Draft conversation: the projected No. 1 pick might decide to stay in college longer than expected.
If that scenario becomes reality, it could dramatically reshape the outlook of the 2026 NBA Draft — and give college basketball fans another year to watch one of the sport’s most electrifying young stars.
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
More Heavy on NBA
Loading more stories