BYU's basketball season - and perhaps All-American freshman AJ Dybantsa's college career - ended abruptly in a loss to Texas in the NCAA Tournament yesterday. But is Dybantsa really ready to take his talents to the NBA?
If you go by his words, the decision won't be up to him.
Speaking to BYUtv SportsNation after Thursday's loss, Dybantsa suggested that he wouldn't be the one making the final decision as to whether he'll declare for the NBA this year or not. He said that he'd leave the decision up to his mother.
"I'mma go ask (my mom). Whatever she says goes," Dybantsa told BYUtv SportsNation.
Fan Response
Dybantsa could have been joking, but it really doesn't make much of a difference in the eyes of fans. Just about all of the responses on X have laughed off the comment, pointing out that he stands to make tens of millions if he declares for the draft now and that his mother wouldn't possibly ruin that opportunity for him.
"Right…turn down being the top overall pick in the draft or stay around to carry an awful BYU team on his back…" one user mocked.
"He ain't staying. He will go and should go," another remarked.
"Respectfully, no way his Mom watched that game and said yeah I want my son to play here again next year," a third joked.
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With 25.5 points per game, Dybantsa led Division I basketball in scoring this past season while contributing a hearty 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. He earned just about every honor he could possibly get and basically carried the Cougars kicking and screaming into a top-10 ranking early in the season.
He currently ranks among the top-three prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft among eligible players. Of course, that would mean potentially going to one of the worst teams.
Will Dybantsa take his talents to the pros, or does another year in college await?
