Dybantsa declares for 2026 NBA draft as projected top pick

AJ Dybantsa enters the 2026 NBA draft as the projected No. 1 pick after announcing his decision on YouTube.

Draft announcement details AJ Dybantsa has officially declared for the 2026 NBA draft as the projected No. 1 selection, sharing the news through a YouTube video. In the clip, he read a letter he wrote at age seven, expressing his dream of becoming a basketball player. Now, the BYU standout will enter this summer’s draft as the top prospect and is expected to compete with Kansas’ Darryn Peterson for the top spot. Closing the video, he teased viewers with the phrase, 'See ya'll on draft night.' ## Season performance and college journey Dybantsa led the nation in scoring this season and helped BYU advance to the NCAA tournament after Richie Saunders suffered a season-ending injury in January. Earlier, he had hinted in multiple interviews that he might remain in college for another year, with his mother’s wishes for him to graduate potentially influencing his decision before ultimately opting for the draft. Reflecting on education during a hometown press conference at Edgar B. Davis Community School—where he attended elementary school in Brockton, Massachusetts—he emphasized its importance. 'Even if you're not a famous actor or athlete, you can still do great things with education,' he stated. ## Future aspirations and NBA outlook Dybantsa shared that his goal is to achieve the same level of recognition as Brockton natives and Hall of Fame boxers Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler, who brought fame to the city. 'It feels good. I've had a lot of NBA players tell me that it really starts when you get there,' he explained. 'I'm looking forward to just being a rookie.' The Utah Jazz currently hold the best odds to secure the No. 1 pick, which would place Dybantsa in a prime position to shine less than an hour’s drive from his BYU campus. Despite this possibility, he clarified that he does not have a preferred NBA destination.