AJ Dybantsa Shines in BYU’s Gritty Rivalry Win Over Utah - and Shows Why He’s Rising Up NBA Draft Boards
In one of college basketball’s most heated rivalries, AJ Dybantsa stepped into the fire and came out looking like a future star. BYU’s 89-84 road win over Utah in the always-electric “Holy War” wasn’t just a statement victory for the Cougars - it was a showcase of why Dybantsa is being talked about as a potential No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA Draft.
The 18-year-old forward dropped 20 points in a game where Utah’s defense was clearly keyed in on him from the jump - literally. The Utes sent double-teams at him on his first dribble, trying to force the ball out of his hands and make life uncomfortable. And yet, Dybantsa still found ways to score, create, and impact the game.
What stood out most wasn’t just the box score - it was how he got his buckets. Compared to earlier in the season, Dybantsa showed real growth in his handle and decision-making. His dribble still gets a little loose when he's shifting directions or trying to break down defenders in tight spaces, but he kept things more controlled in this one, especially considering the constant pressure.
When he did get space - particularly in transition - he looked every bit the elite slasher scouts have projected him to be. He had one drive, in particular, that didn’t even show up on highlight reels because it ended in a non-shooting foul.
But it was a thing of beauty: a left-handed hesitation move with a stop-start burst that left his defender reaching for air. That kind of move doesn’t just happen - it’s the mark of a player who’s got both the tools and the timing to beat NBA-level defenders one-on-one.
And that’s the key when evaluating college prospects: Can they create easy looks against high-level competition? Because at the next level, tough shots get tougher, and if your game is built too heavily on contested jumpers, the margin for error shrinks fast.
That’s where Dybantsa is starting to separate himself. Earlier in the season, he leaned a bit too much on difficult mid-range jumpers.
But against Utah, he only took three two-point jumpers outside the paint. The rest of his shots inside the arc came right at the rim - a sign that he’s learning to simplify and attack more efficiently.
And that’s not a one-game fluke. Over his last six games, he’s shooting a blistering 74.1% on twos (43-of-58), and those games haven’t all come against cupcakes - the last three have been Big 12 battles.
He’s also living at the free-throw line. Dybantsa has now drawn double-digit foul shots in five straight games, and his .642 free-throw attempts per field goal attempt is elite for a perimeter player.
That speaks to his physicality, his relentless rim pressure, and his ability to cover ground with long, fluid strides. He’s not just quick - he’s slippery, elusive, and hard to stay in front of.
And even when defenders get there, they end up fouling him.
Now, the shooting? That’s still a work in progress.
Dybantsa’s drawn some lofty comparisons - Kevin Durant’s name has been floated - but that hinges on his jumper developing. Right now, he’s hitting 32.6% from three on low volume, and 74.6% from the line.
Not bad, but not quite knockdown either.
Mechanically, the shot isn’t broken. In pregame warmups, his release looked clean - the ball comes out with good spin and solid form, whether he’s pulling up or catching and shooting.
But there are some things to fine-tune. Off the dribble, his shot can come out flat.
Off the catch, there’s a bit too much motion early in his release. Ironically, he actually looks more comfortable shooting off the bounce - not uncommon for high-usage scorers who’ve grown up with the ball in their hands.
As a playmaker, Dybantsa is still developing. Against Utah, he made the right reads under pressure - quick swing passes and simple outlets to escape double-teams.
But he’s not yet punishing defenses with next-level reads or threading passes through tight windows. He had a few possessions where he dribbled into trouble, especially when spinning into traffic - something he’s often able to escape in college with pure athleticism, but which will be turnovers at the NBA level.
Defensively, there’s been encouraging progress. Over his last seven games, Dybantsa has racked up 18 steals, showing better awareness and anticipation. He’s not a foul-prone defender, which is a plus, and while he hasn’t made a big impact as a secondary rim protector or rebounder, the tools are there - 6-foot-9 with length and bounce.
There was one sequence against Utah that hinted at his defensive upside. Around the 20-second mark of the highlight reel, he springs up to block a floater, then helps trigger a transition layup the other way. Plays like that - where his athleticism and instincts come together - are flashes of what he could become on that end of the floor.
And credit where it’s due: guard Richie Saunders, who finished off a couple of those transition plays, has been a strong complementary piece for BYU. He’s not getting first-round buzz, but he’s a name to keep an eye on in the second-round conversation.
Looking ahead, Dybantsa’s schedule only gets tougher. A marquee matchup looms on January 31 against Darryn Peterson - another top-tier prospect and a potential No. 1 pick in his own right. That showdown in Lawrence, Kansas, is already being circled by scouts and execs alike.
Right now, the top of the draft class - Dybantsa, Peterson, and Duke’s Cameron Boozer - is shaping up to be a fascinating trio. No need to rush into rankings or declarations just yet. But if Dybantsa keeps trending like this - tightening his handle, attacking the rim, drawing fouls, making smart reads - it’s easy to see why some evaluators have already moved him to the top of their draft boards.
Saturday night in Salt Lake City wasn’t just another win for BYU. It was a reminder that AJ Dybantsa isn’t just a name to watch - he’s a problem defenses haven’t figured out how to solve.
And if this is what he looks like in January? June could get very interesting.