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What NBA decision makers are saying about AJ Dybansta and what it means for the Jazz.

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa talks with Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Jazz during a game held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

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As the collegiate basketball season rolls on, the NBA is watching closely. And it really depends on who you ask when it comes to who will be the NBA’s 2026 No. 1 overall pick. It’s a true three-man race between BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and Duke’s Cameron Boozer.

But today, let’s briefly focus on Dybantsa (with much more to come as we near the draft) — what makes him a potential No. 1 pick, what the concerns are, and what it means for the Jazz.

In short, the upside of a wing with positional size advantage (reportedly 6-foot-9) and offensive versatility is going to make Dybantsa a certain top-three pick. And there’s a level of care and competitiveness that has been displayed (especially in the Cougars’ comeback win against Clemson) that makes NBA decision-makers believe that he can be a star player capable of handling high-pressure moments as THE guy.

On the other hand, there are concerns about his ability to be a real threat from beyond the arc and while he has all the tools to become a great defender, there is some worry about whether he will develop into a reliable two-way player.

But, overall, of the three players in this race, the consensus, according to NBA executives and scouts, is that Dybantsa has the highest ceiling.

You know who could use a player who is young and has the kind of star potential that Dybantsa possesses? The Jazz. Want to know the Jazz’s current odds of getting the No. 1 pick? It’s not very high.

As of Thursday night, the Jazz have a 6% chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick and an 81% chance of not getting a top-three pick. What’s probably worse is that the Jazz have a nearly 40% chance of losing their pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Speaking of the Thunder, they own the Los Angeles Clippers’ pick, which currently has a 36.3% chance of landing in the top three.

So, Dybantsa, who is beloved by so many in Utah, including Jazz players — Keyonte George was seen greeting and hugging Dybantsa after the Jazz’s 143-135 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night at the Delta Center — has a good chance of not becoming a Jazz man.

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