AJ Dybantsa is an exciting prospect in the class of 2026 and one who has caught the attention of several college basketball programs. The small forward is currently rated as the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 recruiting cycle and has received a significant amount of offers from across the country.
While he is yet to commit to any college basketball program, there are already talks about his draft possibilities. Dybantsa is at least two years away from the draft, but NBA scouts are already noticing his potential as a player and what he can offer in the league.
AJ Dybantsa is currently projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft by many scouts. There's a consensus among NBA scouts and draft experts that he possesses the qualities and tools that can't be overlooked on the draft board.
AJ Dybantsa already has big NBA dreams
While he still has his senior year to play in high school, AJ Dybantsa already has big dreams about the NBA. The youngster wants to go into the league and achieve great things. He also believes that there's still quite a lot of work to do for him to become a big star in the NBA.
“I’m not in the league yet, so there is still so much stuff I can improve on,” Dybantsa told KSR. “When I work out with NBA players, I’m obviously not at that level yet, so I’ve just got a lot of stuff I need to work on.”
While Dybantsa is some levels away from becoming a big star in the NBA, he believes he can fit in as a rotational player in the league at the moment. This showcases the level of confidence he has in himself.
“I mean, I’d be productive,” Dybantsa told KSR. “I wouldn’t be a star player, but I wouldn’t just be a 13th man off the bench. I think I’d be in the rotation and be productive.”
Having a noteworthy career in the NBA isn't all of AJ Dybantsa's dream. He wants one that will earn him an induction into the Hall of Fame. His huge ambition remains a driving force for him as he continues to develop as a player.
“(I want to be) a Hall of Famer,” he said. “(To do that, I’ve got to) just keep doing what I’m doing, but at a better rate every time. Every year I’ve got to improve from the last.”
College basketball is the next step for Dybantsa after his high school career. He's received a significant amount of offers from reputable programs across the country. This includes Kentucky, Duke, UConn, Alabama, Auburn, USC, BYU and a host of others.
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