AJ Dybantsa’s mother could have the final say on his future in the NBA Draft

The BYU Cougars are out of March Madness, and attention now turns to AJ Dybantsa’s NBA future. Who could have influence? His mother, Chelsea.

“She’s kind of the big boss,” Dybantsa said of his mom to the press, following his team’s elimination. “Just talk to her and see what she says.”

Although there is still ample time before the next NBA Draft, this talented player is clearly poised to be a top prospect for what’s ahead.

Dybantsa’s numbers this season

In his standout freshman season with the BYU Cougars, AJ Dybantsa lived up to his status as the nation’s top recruit by leading the country in scoring with an impressive 25.5 points per game.

AJ Dybantsa #3 of the BYU Cougars.

Over 35 games, the 6’9″ forward also averaged 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists, shooting 51% from the field. Dybantsa’s historic campaign included a 40-point performance against Kansas State—breaking the Big 12 Tournament freshman scoring record—and a dominant 35-point, 10-rebound double-double in his NCAA Tournament debut against Texas.

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His elite production earned him Consensus First-Team All-American honors and the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award.

Which teams could draft Dybantsa in the NBA?

With the NBA regular season nearing its end in March 2026, the Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, and Brooklyn Nets currently hold the best lottery odds (14% each) to land the No. 1 pick and draft AJ Dybantsa.

Other major contenders in the “sweepstakes” include the Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz, both of whom are eyeing the BYU superstar as a franchise-altering wing.

2026 NBA Draft: Date and location

The 2026 NBA Draft is scheduled to take place over two days, with the first round on Wednesday, June 24 and the second round on Thursday, June 25.

Continuing its long-standing tradition, the event will be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.