AJ Dybantsa vs. Kansas: A Must-See Matchup That’s Bigger Than Just One Star
When you’re the top scorer in the country and drawing comparisons to Hall of Famers before you’ve even played 25 college games, the spotlight tends to follow you. That’s the case for BYU freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa, who’s not just making noise-he’s turning heads across the college basketball landscape.
At 6-foot-9 and 210 pounds, Dybantsa has been a force for the No. 13 Cougars, averaging 23.6 points per game and doing it with a skillset that’s drawn parallels to some of the NBA’s elite.
Asked recently if his game reminds him of anyone in the league, Dybantsa dropped a name that made ears perk up: Tracy McGrady. “I had never watched T-Mac on film,” he admitted.
“I went back and watched and said, ‘Yeah, that kind of looks like me.’” And honestly, it’s not a stretch.
McGrady, a 6-foot-8 scoring machine in his day, was known for his smooth handle, length, and ability to get buckets from anywhere on the floor. Dybantsa’s game carries that same fluidity and scoring versatility, especially in the mid-range and transition.
But McGrady isn’t the only name being tossed around. Kevin Durant-Dybantsa’s favorite player-has been mentioned.
So have Anthony Edwards, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Jayson Tatum. That’s a who’s who of modern NBA wings, and while comparisons can sometimes be premature, Dybantsa’s production and poise are already backing up the hype.
Kansas head coach Bill Self isn’t one to throw around praise lightly, but even he couldn’t help but marvel at what Dybantsa brings to the table. “He’s ridiculously talented,” Self said ahead of Saturday’s Big 12 showdown between No.
14 Kansas (15-5, 5-2) and BYU (17-3, 5-2). “He’s long and he can take two strides to everybody else’s three.
He has a tendency to step around you to create separation to get a shot.”
Dybantsa’s numbers speak for themselves. He’s not just scoring-he’s doing it efficiently and consistently, while also contributing 6.7 rebounds per game.
He’s hit 31.8% from deep (21-of-66) and is a matchup nightmare in the mid-range. His wingspan is well over 7 feet, and he uses every inch of it to make life difficult for defenders.
“He’s a terrific talent,” Self continued. “We’ve played other terrific talents here in the past-Buddy Hield, Marcus Smart, Michael Beasley, Trae Young, Blake Griffin-but I don’t know if we’ve played many, if any, that fit the athletic mold the way he does.”
Still, as much as this game has been billed as a showdown between two potential top-three picks in the 2026 NBA Draft-Dybantsa and Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson-both sides are quick to remind us that this is about more than just individual matchups.
Peterson, a 6-foot-6, 205-pound freshman from Canton, Ohio, has been electric when healthy. In 10 games, he’s averaging 21.6 points on 49.3% shooting, hitting 42.3% from deep, and pulling down 4.6 boards per game.
He’s also shown the ability to distribute, with 19 assists this season. Dybantsa, meanwhile, has 72 assists to 56 turnovers, showing he can create for others even while carrying a heavy scoring load.
But Self is making sure his team stays locked in on the bigger picture.
“We’ve made that point many times in the past, and I’m sure we will again,” Self said. “The objective is to win the game. That’s the only thing I’m thinking about, and that’s all the players should be thinking about as well.”
Kansas sophomore forward Flory Bidunga echoed that sentiment. “We play for the name on the front of the jersey, not the back,” he said.
“We know it’s Kansas vs. BYU, and it takes a team effort.”
And that’s where this game gets really interesting. BYU isn’t just Dybantsa.
Richie Saunders is putting up 18.8 points per game while shooting 39.3% from three. Robert Wright is right behind him at 17.5 points, knocking down 43.4% from deep.
Both are capable of erupting on any given night.
“You don’t put all your attention on one guy with those other guys more than capable of getting 25 or 30,” Self said. “Our emphasis will be on trying to slow down those three, knowing there’s another guy in the starting lineup who made five threes in a half recently.”
That guy is Kennard Davis, who lit it up in a narrow loss to No. 1 Arizona. And let’s not forget Keba Keitha, the 6-foot-8, 230-pound big man who gave Kansas fits last season in Provo with 10 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks in a 91-57 blowout.
So yes, Dybantsa vs. Peterson is the headline.
But the real story is the depth, the talent, and the stakes in a Big 12 battle that could have major implications down the stretch. Two top-15 teams.
Two future lottery picks. And a whole lot of firepower on both sides.
Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse is shaping up to be one of those games that reminds us why we love college basketball. Not just for the stars-but for the stories, the rivalries, and the moments that stick with us long after the final buzzer.