BYU basketball star AJ Dybantsa confirmed Thursday that he will enter the NBA draft, where he’s anticipated to be among the top selections.
The forward from Massachusetts dominated college basketball this season, posting the nation’s highest scoring average at 25.5 points per game while also contributing 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest during his single collegiate campaign.
Dybantsa becomes the first player since Larry Bird’s 1978-79 season at Indiana State to achieve those statistical benchmarks while earning consensus All-American recognition.
“Now the work starts again, all over again,” Dybantsa said. “I’ve had a lot of NBA players tell me that it kind of restarts once you get there. I’m just looking forward to that next step, being a rookie and learning from all the vets.”
The announcement took place at the Davis School in Dybantsa’s native Brockton, Massachusetts, a city known for producing boxing legends Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler.
“It’s the city of champions,” Dybantsa said. “I just want to be considered like one of those champions.”
Despite his professional basketball aspirations, Dybantsa plans to continue his education at BYU while pursuing his NBA career. He attended the Davis School through elementary school and credits the institution with teaching him valuable lessons about the importance of academics.
“My mom wanted me to stay in college to graduate,” Dybantsa said. “But I told my mother that I’m going to declare for the draft and also finish and get my degree online. I’ll probably finish within the next four years.”
The draft’s selection order remains undetermined until the lottery scheduled for May 10. Washington, Indiana, and Brooklyn each hold identical 14% chances of securing the first overall pick. When questioned about his preferred destination, Dybantsa’s response was straightforward.
“Whatever team drafts me, bro,” Dybantsa said.
The confident young player already has his sights set on basketball immortality, hoping to one day return to Massachusetts for another significant speech at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
“The next speech — the next big, big speech — I should have is the Hall of Fame speech,” Dybantsa said. “So, we should be good.”
