AJ Dybantsa Exclusive: Why the No. 1 NBA Prospect Might Delay Going to the NBA
Description
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:
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The Exclusive Revelation: For the first time, AJ discusses the possibility of bypassing the 2026 NBA draft to stay at BYU.
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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.
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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.
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Championship or Bust: Why individual accolades mean nothing to him without a deep March Madness run for the Cougars.
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