The 2026 NBA Draft will begin on June 23 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
And, it could very well begin with BYU star AJ Dybantsa. On Thursday, Dybantsa made it official as he declared for the NBA Draft during an Instagram live segment.
BYU's AJ Dybantsa — the potential No. 1 pick — has declared for the 2026 NBA draft. pic.twitter.com/ugIoWDVUp0
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 23, 2026
Dybantsa declaring for the NBA Draft was widely expected.
However, the BYU star raised eyebrows with some comments previously, saying his mom wanted him to stay and finish school.
“My mom wants me to graduate,” Dybantsa said. “So I might not leave. But I might leave.”
In Dybantsa’s lone season at BYU, he averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists while leading the Cougars to the NCAA Tournament.
BYU lost to Texas in the Round of 64 in the NCAA Tournament, but Dybantsa dropped 35 points with 10 rebounds.
Kansas Jayhawks star Darryn Peterson was discussed as the No. 1 pick going into the 2025-26 season, but his availability issues and injury concerns, along with Dybantsa’s strong play, have begun to shift the BYU star into the top pick projection.
ESPN’s Jeremy Woo had a new big board in April, and AJ Dybantsa was at the top spot.
The team selecting No. 1 overall will be decided during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 10, and the Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers all have the highest odds (14%) to land the top choice.
