BYU Star Freshman Dybantsa Reveals NBA Draft Plans

Cougars star says he has one last chance at NCAA title before entering NBA

Mar. 16, 2026 at 5:48pm

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BYU basketball standout freshman AJ Dybantsa has made it clear that he plans to enter the NBA Draft after this season, saying he has only six more games left to win a national championship in college. Dybantsa, a projected top-3 pick, has been dominant all season, leading the nation in scoring at 25.3 points per game.

Why it matters

Dybantsa's comments effectively confirm he will be leaving for the NBA after this season, which is a major blow to the BYU program as they aim to make a deep NCAA Tournament run. His departure will leave a huge hole to fill, as he has been the driving force behind the Cougars' success this year.

The details

Despite injuries to key players like Dawson Baker and Richie Saunders, Dybantsa has been a consistent force for BYU, leading the nation in scoring at 25.3 points per game on 51.3% shooting. He recently broke the Big 12 Tournament single-game scoring record with 40 points against Kansas State, and his total of 93 points in the tournament broke the previous record of 92 set by former Texas star Kevin Durant.

  • Dybantsa made his comments about having six games left in a recent appearance on the 'Winning Formula Pod'.
  • BYU finished the regular season with a 21-10 record and 9-9 in Big 12 play.

The players

AJ Dybantsa

A standout freshman for the BYU basketball team, Dybantsa is projected to be a top-3 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

Dawson Baker

A BYU player who suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

Richie Saunders

Another BYU player who suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

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What they’re saying

“I have one chance left and we have to go win six straight for me to finish out my college career as a champion.”

— AJ Dybantsa (Winning Formula Pod)

What’s next

Dybantsa and the Cougars will look to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, with the star freshman aiming to win a national championship before declaring for the NBA Draft.

The takeaway

Dybantsa's comments make it clear that he views this NCAA Tournament as his last chance to win a title in college before turning pro, putting added pressure on the Cougars to perform at a high level in the postseason.