NBA fans lining up to draft BYU’s AJ Dybantsa after monumental showing vs. Utah

BYU basketball witnessed history out of AJ Dybantsa on Saturday night. The freshman dropped an astonishing 43 points on Utah — getting fans believing he locked up the top pick of the 2026 NBA Draft.

Dybantsa joined Houston freshman Kingston Flemings as Big 12 freshmen who scored 40+ in their games, a first in conference history.

Yet the BYU star received a “game for the ages” remark over the Fox Sports telecast.

"AJ DYBANTSA! A GAME FOR THE AGES!" @BYUMBB pic.twitter.com/baXHNdfFhF

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 25, 2026

ESPN analyst Paul Biancardi already believes Dybansta will go first overall including reminded his followers of his scouting report.

AJ Dybantsa with a record setting performance for BYU. He finished with 43 points on 24 shots and now has surpassed Danny Ainge for the BYU freshmen record.

Dybantsa, the former No.1 prospect in SC NEXT 100 and I believe will be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 June NBA draft.

Feel… pic.twitter.com/bJ0RpZxVwS

— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) January 25, 2026

Dybantsa himself became honest about his epic record-breaking evening at Provo.

“To be honest, I was hot from the beginning. I was making a lot of shots I normally make, so I felt like it was going to be a good day,” he told Casey Jacobsen of Fox Sports after the game.

One team immediately urged to draft BYU’s AJ Dybantsa

The race for the top pick of the NBA Draft Lottery is intensifying.

Indiana, Sacramento and Brooklyn created a three-team race for the top. Yet one analyst urged the Kings to take in Dybantsa.

“The Sacramento Kings could use a player like AJ Dybantsa as they navigate this rebuild. Star potential,” Frankie Cartoscelli of Sactown 1140 AM posted on the social media website X, formerly Twitter. “Looking like the real deal.”

Dybantsa’s own head coach even believes he’s coaching the top pick come June.

“I think he’s hands down the clear-cut No. 1 pick in the NBA draft upcoming. And it was on full display tonight,” BYU head coach Kevin Young told reporters afterward.

BYU coach Kevin Young on AJ Dybantsa after the 43-point performance over Utah:

"I think he's hands down the clear-cut No. 1 pick in the NBA draft upcoming. And it was on full display tonight." pic.twitter.com/cXdQmi54tS

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) January 25, 2026

The BYU freshman previously boosted his stock with a triple-double against Eastern Washington one month ago. He showed the nation he can score at will — and surpass the 40-point mark.

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