BYU Star Freshman Breaks Big 12 Tournament Scoring Records

AJ Dybantsa cites Kevin Durant as his favorite NBA player after historic tournament performance.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 5:38pm

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BYU Cougars star freshman AJ Dybantsa broke several Big 12 Tournament scoring records, including the most points in a single game by a freshman and the most total points scored across the tournament. Despite his team's semifinal loss to Houston, Dybantsa made it clear that his favorite NBA player is Kevin Durant, whom he has modeled his game after.

Why it matters

Dybantsa's record-breaking performance and open admiration for Durant highlight his potential as a future NBA superstar. As a top prospect for the upcoming draft, Dybantsa's story provides an intriguing narrative around the next generation of basketball talent and the influence of veteran players like Durant.

The details

Dybantsa scored 26 points against Houston, following a 27-point performance against West Virginia and a 40-point outing against Kansas State. His 93 total points across the three games set a new Big 12 Tournament record, surpassing the previous mark held by Durant. Dybantsa and Durant have a close relationship, with the two sharing a viral conversation last year about Dybantsa modeling his game after the NBA legend.

  • Dybantsa set the record for the most points in a single game by a freshman in the Big 12 Tournament.
  • Dybantsa's 93 total points across the three tournament games were the most in a single Big 12 Conference Tournament, surpassing the previous record held by Kevin Durant.

The players

AJ Dybantsa

A 6-foot-9 two-way wing and star freshman for the BYU Cougars, who is considered a top prospect for the upcoming NBA Draft.

Kevin Durant

An NBA legend and former standout for the Texas Longhorns, who Dybantsa has cited as his favorite player and has modeled his game after.

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What they’re saying

“First, I'll speak about the accolades. That's special. Kevin Durant, obviously everybody knows he's my favorite player. That's the only record I broke of his this weekend, so it feels good to just break his records.”

— AJ Dybantsa, BYU Cougars Freshman

What’s next

Dybantsa has not ruled out a return to BYU next season, but he is widely expected to declare for the NBA Draft and become a top pick.

The takeaway

Dybantsa's record-breaking performance and open admiration for Durant showcase his immense talent and potential as a future NBA superstar. His story provides an intriguing narrative around the next generation of basketball talent and the influence of veteran players like Durant.