AJ Dybantsa claims he ‘might not leave’ BYU for 2026 NBA Draft

BYU Cougars freshman AJ Dybantsa is one of the most NBA-ready prospects in college basketball. But the forward potentially doesn't want to leave yet.

Dybantsa was one of the top recruits coming out of high school and was universally perceived as a one-and-done prospect in the NCAA. The latest mock draft from USA TODAY currently has him projected as the No. 1 overall pick to the Sacramento Kings.

He is averaging stellar stats of 24.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game this season.

🔗: https://t.co/Ez2IfUQj5E

“I might not leave college”

The projected No. 1 NBA draft pick, @AJ_Dybantsa, just dropped a bombshell on “Deseret Voices.” What’s behind him weighing a return to Provo for another season?

Listen to the @BYUMBB star and @mckaycoppins on the full… pic.twitter.com/xIjthCPKHs— Deseret News (@Deseret) March 3, 2026

However, during a recent podcast interview with McKay Coppins, he spoke about his future without as much certainty (via Desert Voices):

"I might not leave ... I might not leave college ... I've just got to get to the end of the season ... My mom wants me to graduate ... I might not leave ... But I might leave ... The fans might get into my head, talk about one more year, maybe three more years. I don't know. But I'm going to have to talk to my mom."

Dybantsa said that people can "assume" whatever they want about his future but he hasn't provided confirmation yet.

Earlier in the conversation, meanwhile, Dybantsa also suggested that he would have no trouble following the BYU Honor Code for "however many years" that he attends the school.

Of course, if it just about getting his degree, Dybantsa could potentially do that during or after his professional basketball career.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: AJ Dybantsa claims he ‘might not leave’ BYU for 2026 NBA Draft