By JAMES MADDEN
BYU star freshman AJ Dybantsa went for 35 points and 10 rebounds in what was in all likelihood his final collegiate game, a 79-71 loss to Texas in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Portland, Ore.
The 6-foot-9 forward from Brockton, Mass. led the nation in scoring this season, averaging 25.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.
He and Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson are the projected top-2 picks in this year’s NBA Draft.
“This is the kid I would take with the No. 1 pick in the draft,” former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said of Dybantsa on air.
Dybantsa said earlier this season he was “on the fence” about to a potential return to BYU, citing the idea of honoring his mother’s wishes of him earning a college degree. Cooper Flagg made similar comments last year before becoming the No. 1 overall pick, but most experts believe Dybantsa will head to the NBA this summer.
The No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft is projected to earn approximately $11.5-$13.8 million in their first season, as part of a four-year rookie scale contract likely totaling over $60 million.
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