Field Level Media’s Ethan Ward breaks down the top prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft.
AJ Dybantsa, BYU
The Skinny: The talk of the Association since he was a high school junior, Dybantsa’s freshman campaign at BYU was as rollicking as initially anticipated en route to leading the nation in scoring at 25.5 points per game. At a verified 6-foot-9 and 215 pounds (NBA draft combine), Dybantsa has the physical traits of a dominant inside-out swingman. His game delicately fuses force with finesse, doing the bulk of his damage inside the arc.
Strengths: A fluid wing attacker that can independently abuse the pressure-points of a halfcourt defense. An authoritative rim finisher (73.4 percent) who can take off from well outside the charge circle. Finds his 3-point range in fits and starts – made 34.7 percent of his above-the-break threes. His on-ball game is predicated on headlong drives, typically backing down opponents or facing up and ripping through. Bides his time and operates methodically to outlast or overpower defenders. Routinely plays off two feet in the upper paint with turnaround jumpers, lean-ins, step-throughs, and generally sophisticated footwork. Rarely sped up – uses ball fakes and shoulder bumps to make room for himself. Sheds defenders with misdirection rather than north-to-south explosiveness. Capable of attacking both ways off the bounce. Comfortable operating as a corner spacer or closeout-attacker on the second side. An ancillary playmaker that capitalizes on defensive attention by rifling it to open shooters or interior cutters. An avid and persistent foul drawer – 7.3 whistles drawn per 36 minutes ranks in the 99th percentile positionally according to CBB Analytics. A handful to contain in the open floor. Defensively, uses his length to disrupt passing lanes or guard against the triple threat. Fared well applying full court pressure in the backcourt. Respectable screen navigator for a guy his size. Excellent at swooping in for long rebounds around the dotted line primed to be a dangerous grab-and-go threat.
Weaknesses: Too reliant on back-to-the-basket scoring, a symptom of his largely unrefined handle. An iffy jump shooter with a rickety base – brings his knees together which disrupts his rhythm and hinders his shooting arc. Shot 7-for-26 on corner 3-point attempts (26.9 percent) and a paltry 30 percent on catch-and-shoot looks overall. His offensive effectiveness relied on the whistle at times – barging into multiple defenders attempting to draw contact. Lacks fully-fledged downhill brilliance at this juncture. Downhill attacks can be wayward – frequently terminates his dribble without a preconceived plan, though his deceleration and ball security when initiating his two steps sufficed at the college level. Easily funneled in one direction by stout defenders with size. Produced just 0.94, 0.98, and 0.81 points per possession on post-ups, mid-range looks and dribble jumpers respectively, per Draft Ballr. Readily bottled up when defenses load up on him. Far from a shutdown defender in single coverage. Hit-and-miss in a deep stance. Susceptible to ball-watching away from the ball as well as on the glass. Switch instincts can be a tad delayed. Too many variables to forecast a lofty defensive ceiling. More likely to wind up a run-of-the-mill wing defender than a pre-eminent stopper.
Best fit: Washington Wizards
With Trae Young signed to stay in D.C., Dybantsa would enter the fray with less pressure to instantly produce offensively at an elite level. Some see a refined prospect ready for immediate greatness. Expectations are not off-base. But the Wizards know as much as any NBA franchise there will be a developmental curve for any teenager strolling into the pro game.
–Field Level Media
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