{"id":750501,"date":"2026-06-02T12:36:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T12:36:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/750501\/"},"modified":"2026-06-02T12:36:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T12:36:15","slug":"byus-aj-dybantsa-is-losing-his-grip-of-the-nba-drafts-number-one-pick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/750501\/","title":{"rendered":"BYU’s AJ Dybantsa is losing his grip of the NBA Draft’s number one pick"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Darryn Peterson has injury concerns<\/a>. Cameron Boozer<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

AJ Dybantsa in NBA Mock Drafts<\/p>\n

CBS<\/a>: 2nd to Utah
Tankathon<\/a>: 1st to Washington
The Ringer<\/a>: 1st to Washington
NBADraft.net<\/a>: 1st to Washington
On3<\/a>: 2nd to Utah
ESPN<\/a>: 1*<\/p>\n

*ESPN’s list is of best available players, not a typical mock draft format<\/p>\n

CBS Sports feels strongly that Peterson is the right pick at the top, despite his rocky year in Lawrence.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Dybantsa remains the favorite — for now — but Peterson is catching up to him<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

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