AJ Dybantsa expressed little interest in market size during a recent interview with Jason Jones of The Athletic, a stance that carries weight as the NBA’s worst teams prepare to learn who will land the top pick. The BYU standout emphasized that he has spent years building his own brand, regardless of the city.
“Obviously being from Brockton, I’m not really from a big market,” Dybantsa said. “I’ve created my own path and my team. My parents have been doing a great job of just putting me out there. So I’ve been in the spotlight for a long time.”
This mindset aligns with the journey he has already taken. Dybantsa grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts, then moved through prep schools in Napa, California, and Hurricane, Utah, before committing to BYU in Provo, where he delivered one of the most impressive freshman seasons in the nation.
He averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for the Cougars, shooting 51.0% from the field and collecting a long list of accolades. For NBA teams, that production only adds to the appeal of a player widely regarded as one of the top talents in the 2026 draft class.
The timing of his comments is significant. The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is scheduled for today, with the Wizards, Pacers, and Nets each holding the best odds at 14% for the No. 1 pick, followed by the Jazz and Kings at 11.5%.
Dybantsa is projected by many to be the first overall selection, but the lottery determines where his NBA career begins. That means one of the league’s smaller or less stable markets could still secure the right to draft him, even if the destination is not a major media hub.
