Grade

1st Overall Pick - 3rd Overall Pick

2026 Draft Class

A.J. Dybantsa

BYU

6'9"

210lbs

Age 19

May 1, 2026

Executive Summary

AJ Dybantsa projects as a ball-dominant point forward with elite offensive control and playmaking ability, capable of running an offense through his scoring gravity and decision-making.

Strengths

Game IQ, Offense (inside), and Playmaking

Weaknesses

Transition, Defense (perimeter), and Defense (Inside)

Full Scouting Report

15px

Game IQ/Poise:

Pros:

•Controls the offense

•Gets to his spots

•Draws fouls

•Understands and controls flow of the game well

•Doesn’t turn the ball over that much for his usage

Cons:

•Struggles offering help defense

Character:

•Foul baiter

•Confident

•Positive teammate

•Vocal

Athleticism/Frame:

Pros:

•Fast, explosive

•Quick for his height

•Good ball handling for his size

•Uses length for footwork

Cons:

•Not strong for his position

Shooting:

Pros:

•Can just shoot over majority of players

•Knows his spots

Cons:

•Flat 3pt shot

Playmaking:

Pros:

•Facilitator

•Crafty on pic & rolls

•Patient

•Handles double teams well

Cons:

•Needs the ball to make something happen

Offense (perimeter):

Pros:

•Quick first step

•Good change of pace

•Always looking to attack

•Always favored in a 1v1

Cons:

•Favors left side drives

•Minimal off-ball movement

•Doesn’t set good screens

Offense (inside):

Pros:

•Athletic finisher

•Crafty

•Can finish with both hands

Cons:

•Forces mid-range

Defense (perimeter):

Pros:

•Moves feet well

•Active defender

Cons:

•Doesn’t cut off the baseline

•Doesn’t get deflections or steals often

Defense (inside):

Pros:

•Block threat

•Contests well

Cons:

•Doesn’t box out well

•Lacks rotational awareness

•Hesitates to crash in

Transition:

Pros:

•Can easily get out in transition

•Good decision-making

Cons:

•Needs the have the ball to have an impact

Player comp:

•Ceiling: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; MVP

•Floor: RJ Barrett; Starter, 2nd/3rd option

Archetype:

•Ball-dominant Point Forward

Teams:

•Wizards, Nets, Kings, Bulls, Grizzlies

•Teams that have time and space to develop talent to build around

Rating:

•Game IQ/Poise: 9.1/10

•Athleticism/Frame: 8.6/10

•Shooting: 7.8/10

•Playmaking: 9.6/10

•Offense (perimeter): 8.1/10

•Offense (inside): 9.1/10

•Defense (perimeter): 7.3/10

•Defense (inside): 6.1/10

•Transition: 6.7/10

•Intangibles: 9.3/10

Total: 83.7/100

Games Watched:

•vs Villinova, vs Wisconsin, vs Kansas, vs Baylor, vs Arizona, vs Texas (Round of 64)

Matthew Jewell

Head NBA Scout and Analyst View Full Bio

I am a sports analyst and research assistant for the WSU Sports Management department with a central focus on the NBA. I break down players, teams, and schemes through film study and data to deliver sharp, in-depth scouting reports, and team evaluations. I’m born and raised in Castro Valley, California and am currently seeking a degree in Data Analytics with a focus in Sports Management.

Comments (4)

Subscribers only — join for free to leave a comment.

Cole⭐ Caleb Wilson 👁️ ⏱️ 👟 ⚡

5 months ago

I like most of the takes. But he shot 51% from the field so his forcing of mid range doesn't really make to much sense and same with his cons for athleticism of him not being a " not strong for position ". He is one of the most athletic wings we have ever seen come through the draft especially with his drives, he is a 6'8 wing that moves like he's 6'4. He is very Elite athleticism wise.

Matthew👁️5 months ago

His off-ball movement isn't the strongest and it often seems like he's waiting for the ball to swing to him, though he does use his gravity to open things up for teammates even without direct involvement.

Matthew👁️5 months ago

Good point bringing up his FG%, but he can still be forcing shots with a good FG%. Whether he makes it or not doesn’t factor into if it was forced. As for his athleticism, you’re right, AJ is one of the most athletically gifted prospects we’ve seen. The concern is his strength relative to the forwards he'll be matched against in the NBA. At 6'8"-6'9" playing on the wing, he'll be matched up against stronger forwards who can wear him down physically over a game.

Cole⭐ Caleb Wilson 👁️ ⏱️ 👟 ⚡5 months ago

i also don't agree fully with the needs ball to make something happen he tends to draw a lot of attention so that leaves his teammates open a lot, his off ball action comes and goes.