About this episode
In a move that would send shockwaves through both the Big 12 and the NBA lottery, reports are surfacing that AJ Dybantsa is seriously considering forgoing the 2026 NBA Draft to return to BYU for his sophomore season. As the projected No. 1 overall pick and the nation's leading scorer at 25.1 points per game, Dybantsa’s potential return represents a historic "stay-in-school" moment that would fundamentally alter the college basketball landscape.
The NIL Factor and "Mission" Mindset
The primary engine behind this possibility is BYU’s unprecedented NIL infrastructure. Dybantsa is already the highest-paid athlete in college sports, with a valuation of $4.4 million and a deal from the Cougars estimated between $4 million and $7 million. With the NBA's rookie scale for the top pick sitting around $10 million, the financial "gap" between turning pro and staying in Provo has narrowed significantly.
Beyond the money, Dybantsa has spoken openly about his desire to leave a "historic" legacy. As noted by Drake Toll—the premier voice of the Big 12 who has become synonymous with Dybantsa’s rise—AJ doesn't just want to be "another guy" in a long line of NBA lottery picks. He wants to be the player who delivers BYU its first-ever Final Four.
Tactical Development under Kevin Young
Coach Kevin Young’s "NBA in Provo" system is the other major hook. Dybantsa has thrived in Young's pro-style sets, recently putting up a monster 29-point, 10-rebound, 9-assist performance against Iowa State. Staying another year would allow Dybantsa to refine his "Tracy McGrady-esque" frame under a coach who has trained Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, potentially entering the 2027 draft as a "Day 1 superstar" rather than a "project."
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