I don’t always give much credence to naysayers. And this was the case as BYU’s star freshman, AJ Dybantsa, distanced himself from the rest of the 2026 NBA Draft class as the odds-on favorite to walk away as the number-one pick.

Darryn Peterson has injury concerns. Cameron Boozer has ceiling questions. Caleb Wilson is a bit too raw to bite into right away. But Dybantsa didn’t run ahead by default — he’s a potential All-NBA caliber star as a pro. A 6’9″ frame with unconventional movement patterns, a taste for scoring (he led the NCAA in points per game, after all), and the unteachable leadership traits that elevate the players around him make Dybantsa a rare blend of in-your-face talent combined with winning intangibles that you simply don’t see every year.

The momentum behind AJ’s bid for the number-one pick is very real. But that’s the thing about momentum: it comes and it goes. Back and forth, it swings, and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson is suddenly on the upswing and challenging for that top spot on the draft board.

The injury concerns appeared to be overblown, and Peterson’s defensive edge paired alongside his fluid shooter’s stroke makes him a more well-balanced prospect — one who projects as the safer bet to reach his potential at the next level.

The Mock Draft craftsmen are taking notice now, too, and more and more are giving Peterson serious consideration to be taken first overall by Washington.

AJ Dybantsa in NBA Mock Drafts

CBS: 2nd to Utah
Tankathon: 1st to Washington
The Ringer: 1st to Washington
NBADraft.net: 1st to Washington
On3: 2nd to Utah
ESPN: 1*

*ESPN’s list is of best available players, not a typical mock draft format

CBS Sports feels strongly that Peterson is the right pick at the top, despite his rocky year in Lawrence.

“Peterson has been my No. 1 player since the start of the 2026 draft cycle last summer. Yes, there are concerns about Peterson after an up-and-down season at Kansas, but I’m still buying all the stock on him being the best player in the class. The Wizards can go in several directions with this pick — including a trade with Utah — but Peterson is the best option. If it were up to me, Peterson would be off the board first. He has legit superstar potential.”

All of this should be taken as something of a complement for Dybantsa, as the top of this draft class is stronger than usual. This year’s pool doesn’t possess a clear-cut number-one, but not for a lack of standout candidates. Any of the top four players (Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer, Wilson) could become one of the best players in the league in a decade’s time — any of them.

Dybantsa remains the favorite — for now — but Peterson is catching up to him. Rapidly. Peterson’s surge is no dig at Dybantsa. On the contrary, the fact that a prospect as outstanding as Peterson is seen as a toss-up beside Dybantsa is a strong endorsement of the Cougar star’s perceived potential at the next level. Flip a coin, and Washington has an All-Star.

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