The 2026 NBA Draft already looks to feature all-time talent with so many college basketball stars poised to make the jump to the next level.
While top programs all over the country are producing elite players, like Duke, Kansas and Purdue, BYU has become a prominent school that’s drawing lots of interest.
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College basketball insider Andy Katz is around the game constantly and revealed which player he feels should go number one overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. Katz offered great detail on how BYU talent AJ Dybantsa deserves the nod for top pick.
During his freshman campaign, Dybantsa has averaged over 23 points and seven assists per game for the 10th ranked team in the country.
Dybantsa was highly coveted coming out of high school and the five-star talent shocked the sport when he opted to join the Cougars. However, BYU has become a powerhouse on the court in recent years in the NIL era.
Brockton’s AJ Dybantsa, of Brockton, shakes hands with UConn coach Dan Hurley during a game at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
College basketball’s race top positioning before March Madness won’t be the only intriguing storyline to watch though this year. Dybantsa has some serious competition for the number one pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Duke’s Cam Boozer and Kansas standout Darryn Peterson have firmly played themselves into top 5 consideration. Meanwhile, North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson and Tennessee freshman Nate Ament are both keeping their teams near the top of college basketball.
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