Projected No. 1 Pick AJ Dybantsa Already Dominating At BYU
Dybantsa is projected to go No. 1 overall
Brockton native and projected No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa is currently enrolled as a freshman at Brigham Young University, and he’s already balling out for the Cougars.
In a preseason exhibition game against Nebraska last week, Dybantsa’s generational talent was on full display for BYU. The 6-foot-9 wing finished with 30 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block in his college debut.
Dybantsa, 18, has been considered an elite talent for years. He was named the nation’s top player following his high school freshman season, and again when he reclassified from the 2026 high school class to 2025.
Dybantsa committed to BYU in December of 2024, becoming their highest-ranked basketball recruit in history.
Dybantsa grew up in Brockton and initially attended Saint Sebastian’s School. He averaged 19.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.5 blocks per game for St. Seb’s as a freshman, leading them to the NEPSAC Class A state championship game and picking up the Massachusetts Boys’ Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year award as a result.
Dybantsa then transferred to Prolific Prep (Napa, California) and also played one season at Utah Prep (Hurricane, Utah), before heading to BYU.
Teams at the bottom of the NBA pecking order are already licking their chops at the prospect of snagging Dybantsa in the draft. Nothing is guaranteed with the lottery system, though, as the 2025 draft reminded everyone when the Dallas Mavericks ended up with the top pick.
