BYU Star AJ Dybantsa Earns Kevin Durant Comparison from Kelvin Sampson

Cougars coach praises freshman's unique skillset after loss to Houston in Big 12 Tournament

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:25am

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BYU freshman basketball star AJ Dybantsa received high praise from Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson, who compared the young player's skillset to that of NBA superstar Kevin Durant. Dybantsa put up an impressive stat line of 26 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists in BYU's 73-66 loss to Houston in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals.

Why it matters

Dybantsa is considered one of the top freshman prospects in the country and a potential high draft pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Sampson's Durant comparison highlights the young player's unique combination of size, shooting ability and overall talent, which could make him a future NBA star.

The details

Dybantsa, who is in the midst of his freshman campaign at BYU, has emerged as one of the best young players in college basketball this season. Against Houston, he shot 7-of-18 from the field, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range, and a near-perfect 9-of-10 from the free-throw line.

  • BYU lost to Houston 73-66 in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament on March 13, 2026.

The players

AJ Dybantsa

A freshman basketball player at BYU who is considered one of the top prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft class.

Kelvin Sampson

The head coach of the Houston Cougars men's basketball team, who praised Dybantsa's skills after the game.

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What they’re saying

“He's a load. He's a handful. I've coached against all the greats. He's only going to get better and better and better. He's a unique combination of length; he can shoot. I'd say at this point he's a poor man's Kevin Durant. That's who he reminds he of.”

— Kelvin Sampson, Houston Cougars Head Coach (Houston Chronicle)

What’s next

BYU awaits its postseason fate on Selection Sunday on March 15, where they will find out if they receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament or an invitation to the NIT.

The takeaway

Dybantsa's standout performance and Sampson's high praise highlight the young player's immense potential, drawing comparisons to one of the NBA's all-time greats. This could be a sign of things to come for the BYU star as he looks to make the leap to the professional ranks in the near future.