Ever since AJ Dybantsa arrived at BYU, the widespread expectation has been that he would be “one-and-done,” playing a single season in Provo before declaring for the NBA draft.
Dybantsa and his father, Ace, even called it “his goal” when committing to the Cougars live on ESPN’s “First Take” back in November 2024.
But perhaps the plan isn’t entirely set in stone.
In an exclusive interview this past weekend with the Deseret News’ “Deseret Voices” podcast, Dybantsa shared that he hasn’t completely closed the door on staying in college.
“Well, I might not leave … like, I might not leave college,” Dybantsa said, responding to if he believed he would be the top pick in this summer’s draft.
It’s been an outstanding freshman season for Dybantsa, who currently leads the nation in scoring at 24.9 points per game and has made a strong case to be selected No. 1 overall in June’s NBA draft.
Dybantsa did not offer any specifics, merely saying he had “until the end of the season (to decide).”
Whatever he decides to do, you can count on Dybantsa graduating at some point. Education is of the utmost importance in the Dybantsa family, with AJ having been long encouraged to get his bachelor’s degree no matter where his NBA career takes him.
“My mom wants me to graduate. So I might not leave, but I might leave,” Dybantsa said with a laugh.
AJ Dybantsa and the NBA draft
It still feels imminent that Dybantsa will enter his name into the draft, considering he’s a practical lock to be selected in the top three, if not first overall.
Financially, leaving BYU for the NBA makes perfect sense. Last year’s No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg, signed a four-year, $62.7 million contract after being picked first in the draft, making $13.8 million in his rookie season. The draft’s No. 3 selection, VJ Edgecomb, signed for $50.4 million across four years.
Whatever compensation Dybantsa has earned at BYU, it wouldn’t come close to an NBA rookie scale contract as a top three draft selection.
BYU’s previous draft export, Egor Dëmin, told reporters last year after the Cougars’ Sweet 16 loss that he was not ruling out a return to college despite being projected as a “one-and-done” talent himself. Dëmin did end up declaring for the draft and being taken No. 8 overall by the Brooklyn Nets, but the decision went down to the wire.
Dybantsa’s decision likely won’t be as dramatic as Dëmin’s. All signs still point to a draft declaration for Dybantsa at season’s end.
