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BYU's AJ Dybantsa delivers near triple-double in upset of Iowa State
The freshman phenom's dominant performance boosts his NBA draft stock
Feb. 22, 2026 at 5:34pm
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AJ Dybantsa, a freshman star at BYU, led his team to a 79-69 upset victory over No. 6 Iowa State with a near triple-double performance of 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. Dybantsa's impressive showing has him surging in the race for the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, where he is considered neck-and-neck with Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson.
Why it matters
Dybantsa's breakout game against a top-10 opponent comes at a crucial time, as NBA scouts closely monitor the top draft prospects. His ability to stuff the stat sheet and lead his team to a big win over a ranked opponent boosts his draft stock and solidifies his status as a leading candidate to be the No. 1 overall pick.
The details
Dybantsa poured in 29 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out 9 assists to power BYU's upset victory. The Cougars outscored Iowa State 40-22 in the paint and won the rebounding battle 39-28. BYU used a 13-3 run midway through the second half to regain control after Iowa State had trimmed the deficit to 57-54.
- BYU defeated Iowa State 79-69 on Saturday, February 22, 2026.
The players
AJ Dybantsa
A freshman star at BYU who is considered a leading candidate to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Kennard Davis Jr.
A BYU player who scored 17 points in the upset win over Iowa State.
Mihailo Boskovic
A BYU player who scored 13 points in the victory over Iowa State.
Darryn Peterson
A freshman star at Kansas who is also considered a top candidate for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Kevin Young
The head coach of the BYU men's basketball team.
What they’re saying
“He's showing people night in and night out how reliable he is. I thought it was his most complete game of the season.”
— Kevin Young, BYU Head Coach
What’s next
With March Madness quickly approaching, Dybantsa and Peterson will continue to be closely watched by NBA scouts as they compete for the top draft spot.
The takeaway
AJ Dybantsa's dominant performance in BYU's upset of Iowa State has solidified his status as a leading candidate to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, showcasing his ability to stuff the stat sheet and lead his team to victory against a top-ranked opponent.
