AJ Dybantsa didn't need long to remind everyone why he's been considered one of the most electrifying prospects in recent memory. Even before he stepped foot on BYU’s campus, scouts were circling his name as a potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Now, just 13 games into his college career, he’s already making history-and doing it with style.
On Monday night, Dybantsa delivered a performance that stamped his name in the NCAA record books. In BYU’s 109-81 rout of Eastern Washington, the 19-year-old phenom became the youngest player in NCAA history to record a 30-point triple-double.
Let that sink in. A 33-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist night-against a Division I opponent-before conference play has even begun.
That’s not just a stat line, that’s a statement.
And it wasn’t just empty numbers in a blowout. Dybantsa’s fingerprints were all over this game.
He attacked the rim with purpose, found teammates in rhythm, and controlled the tempo like a seasoned pro. His 10 assists were a season high, but they felt like a natural extension of his game rather than a forced milestone.
That’s the thing about Dybantsa-he makes the extraordinary look routine.
Through 13 games, he's averaging 23.1 points on a blistering 59% shooting from the field. Those are elite numbers no matter how you slice them, and they’re even more impressive when you consider the context: a true freshman leading a top-10 program, playing with poise beyond his years, and doing it all while under the spotlight of NBA evaluators who are watching his every move.
BYU sits at 12-1 heading into Big 12 play, with their lone loss coming in a tightly contested battle against No. 4 UConn back in mid-November.
That game, a two-point defeat, only added to the Cougars’ credibility-and Dybantsa’s. He’s not just putting up numbers against mid-majors; he’s showing up against elite competition.
It’s no surprise, then, that Dybantsa is a fixture in the top three of just about every major NBA mock draft. He’s part of a loaded 2026 class that includes Kansas guard Darryn Peterson and Duke forward Cameron Boozer, but right now, Dybantsa is doing everything he can to separate himself from the pack.
What makes his rise even more intriguing is how complete his game already looks. He’s not just a scorer.
He rebounds, he facilitates, he defends, and he competes. There’s a maturity to his approach that suggests he’s not just chasing highlights-he’s chasing wins, and he’s bringing his teammates along for the ride.
As Big 12 play looms, the spotlight is only going to get brighter. But if the first 13 games are any indication, Dybantsa isn’t just ready for it-he’s built for it.