AJ Dybantsa Exclusive: Why the No. 1 NBA Prospect Might Delay Going to the NBA

On this episode of "Deseret Voices," host McKay Coppins sits down with AJ Dybantsa, the 6-foot-9 phenom who has taken college basketball by storm. While the rest of the sports world has already labeled him the consensus projected No. 1 overall pick, AJ reveals a bombshell in this conversation: He might not be ready to leave BYU.

Driven by a promise to his mother to prioritize his education and earn a degree, the most coveted amateur player in the world explains why he is weighing a return to Provo for another season.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Exclusive Revelation: For the first time, AJ discusses the possibility of bypassing the 2026 NBA draft to stay at BYU.

• The "Maniac" Mindset: Why AJ admits he "hates losing more than he loves winning" and how that ferocity translates to his 25.1 ppg national scoring lead.

• Pro-Level Mentorship: AJ opens up about his competitive relationship with Russell Westbrook and the advice he’s received from stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

• Championship or Bust: Why individual accolades mean nothing to him without a deep March Madness run for the Cougars.