Coming off a strong high school career, AJ Dybantsa surprised the college basketball world when he decided to stay close to home for his collegiate career, going from Utah Prep to BYU.
Dybantsa rejected iconic programs to join the Cougars, including North Carolina and Kansas. The young forward is one of the top prospects of his class, and he carries high expectations for his freshman season.
Dybantsa himself has made it clear he’s aiming for the national championship, adding that it’s the only option for his team. The competition won’t be easy, with programs such as UConn, Duke, and more, adding intriguing prospects to their rosters. Kansas also landed a top prospect that could be Dybantsa’s strongest competition in the 2025-26 season.
ESPN analyst says AJ Dybantsa competes with Darryn Peterson for No. 1 pick in 2026
Bobby Marks of ESPN believes that Darryn Peterson, who is set to lead Bill Self’s Kansas Jayhawks in the upcoming season, is the biggest threat to AJ Dybantsa’s hopes for the No. 1 overall pick.
AJ Dybantsa #3 of Prolific Prep of Napa Christian poses for a portrait after their game against Accelerated Prep at Napa Valley College on February 25, 2024.
“The headliners of the 2026 class are Kansas guard Darryn Peterson (ESPN’s current No. 1-ranked prospect) and BYU wing A.J. Dybantsa, with NBA teams regarding them as the two strongest contenders at the top,” he said. “NBA teams I’ve spoken with view Peterson vs. Dybantsa as a real debate at this stage. Both players will have more to prove as one-and-done freshmen, creating a major storyline entering the fall.”
College basketball has seen other freshmen join the competition ahead of what should be an entertaining season. Dybantsa and Peterson lead a pack that could make some noise in the coming months.
