KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Amidst a season that features one of the greatest freshmen classes in college basketball history, two Big 12 rookies are at the forefront of the No. 1 pick debate.
Kansas star guard Darryn Peterson and BYU forward AJ Dybantsa have gone back-and-forth throughout their youth basketball careers battling for awards, the top spot in the 2025 recruiting class ranking and more.
This season, they’ve battled in the Big 12, with Peterson taking home the Preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors and a head-to-head win over BYU, while Dybantsa won the postseason edition of Big 12 Freshman of the Year when the league announced its awards on Monday.
On Tuesday, as Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark addressed the state of the league and other issues pertaining to college athletics, the Big 12 boss boasted of the freshmen talent in the league.
“We have one of the strongest freshmen classes in college basketball,” Yormark said Tuesday, “and their impact has been felt across this season. It’s indicative and shows that big-time talent is going to the Big 12.”
FILE – Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark addresses the media during the NCAA college Big 12 women’s basketball media day, Oct. 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)(Charlie Riedel | AP)
Peterson and Dybantsa were among the five freshmen that were named to the All-Big 12 Freshmen Team on Monday, along with Arizona guard Brayden Burries, Arizona forward Koa Peat and Houston guard Kingston Flemings. However, Dybantsa, who was named to the All-Big 12 First Team, was edged out for Big 12 Player of the Year honors by Arizona guard Jaden Bradley.
Yormark continued advocating for the league, even when it comes to the No. 1 pick in June’s NBA Draft.
“While I don’t know who the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft will be this year, I do know one thing,” Yormark declared. “He plays for a Big 12 team.”
Dybantsa is averaging a nation-leading 24.7 points to go along with 6.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.
“He’s had an outstanding year,” Yormark said. “He should absolutely be part of (National Player of the Year) conversations. He’s had a fabulous season.”
Peterson starred for the Jayhawks when he was on the court, but was relegated to All-Big 12 Second Team honors after missing nine non-conference games and two league games due to various injuries and illnesses. Still, he averaged 19.9 points per game while leading the league in box-score plus-minus, according to Bart Torvik.
Mock drafts have yet to come to a consensus on who will hear their name called first by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, but neither of the two freshmen is even likely to win National Player of the Year. Duke freshman forward Cameron Boozer is the presumptive favorite for that award, and most mock drafts have Boozer going third overall in June.
Ultimately, how the Big 12’s best freshmen perform this week in Kansas City and in the weeks to come during the NCAA Tournament could determine whether Yormark is proven right.
Dybantsa and the Cougars tip off Big 12 Tournament play Tuesday night at 6 p.m. against Kansas State. Peterson and the Jayhawks will be in action Thursday at 8:30 p.m. CT for quarterfinal action against either TCU, Colorado or Oklahoma State.
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