AJ Dybantsa’s college basketball career might be over, but the BYU star’s mother will play a bigger role than many might expect when it comes to his 2026 NBA Draft decision.
The Cougars exited March Madness with a first-round defeat against Texas in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. However, the BYU star freshman is still leaving the door open to returning to the powerhouse program next season.
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According to Dybantsa, his mother will be the one making the choice for the highly-touted prospect. Many NBA Draft experts believe that Dybantsa is a lock to be a top-3 pick in June’s draft.
AJ Dybantsa’s mom will call the shots whether he stays at BYU or declare for the NBA draft.
An outstanding season for the freshman 👏
(via @BYUSportsNation) pic.twitter.com/2PZHUWGO8m
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) March 20, 2026
“I’mma go ask [my mom],” Dybantsa said following Thursday’s NCAA Tournament loss. “Whatever she says goes.”
Meanwhile, other top college stars like Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and Duke’s Cameron Boozer will also figure into the conversation for the number one overall pick. Dybantsa has posted higher scoring figures than both players this season.
Dybantsa lit up college basketball during his debut season with BYU, averaging over 25.5 points per game. During the loss to Texas, the Cougars standout dropped 35 points and 10 rebounds.
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It’s clear that Dybantsa is talented enough to take over games and carry that over to the NBA level next season if he decides to make the jump. However, Dybantsa’s $4 million-plus NIL deal with BYU could certainly escalate to higher figures if he sticks around in college for another season.
BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa sets the play in front of West Virginia Mountaineers forward Brenen Lorient. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
The 2026 NBA Draft features many elite prospects, which does present the opportunity for NBA teams to improve their rosters. Last year’s top pick Cooper Flagg has become an instant star for the Dallas Mavericks despite the team’s struggles in the Western Conference.
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