The 2026 NBA Draft is just days away, and projected top pick AJ Dybantsa is doing things his own way. In a candid interview over the weekend, the 19-year-old BYU standout made a stunning admission about his pre-draft process: he hasn't worked out for a single team.
Appearing on Baseline Banter, Dybantsa was asked which organizations he had auditioned for ahead of Tuesday's big night. His response was as simple as it was bold: “None.” He elaborated, “I didn’t work out for none, I just visited the cities. They take me to the facility, take me to dinner, talk. I don’t gotta workout. They know what I can do.”
That confidence is backed by a stellar freshman season at BYU, where Dybantsa led the nation in scoring with 25.5 points per game. Widely expected to hear his name called first overall by the Washington Wizards, the 6-foot-9 guard-forward hybrid has drawn comparisons to Hall of Famers like Tracy McGrady and Scottie Pippen. His blend of size, skill, and freakish athleticism makes him a rare commodity in any draft class.
Dybantsa's approach echoes the recent strategy of fellow prospect Darryn Peterson, who also opted for minimal workouts. But for Dybantsa, it's less about gamesmanship and more about a belief that his tape and college production speak for themselves. “They know what I can do,” he repeated, shrugging off any suggestion that skipping workouts could hurt his stock.
BYU head coach Kevin Young, who spent nearly a decade as an NBA assistant, has no doubts. In a conversation with CBS Sports, Young offered a simple directive to any team considering another player at No. 1: “Don’t overthink this.” He added, “This is no knock on the other guys. But if you’re just talking straight NBA, I say this with all due respect to the writers and the bloggers and the rankers. I’ve lived the NBA life. I’ve been in the war rooms. I’ve been to the Finals. He’s the kind of guy everyone’s trying to get. The 6-9, can-do-everything who, by the way, is a freak athlete. Who, by the way, checks all the boxes from a human being standpoint. Like, those are so rare that it’s, just, do not overthink this.”
Young’s endorsement carries weight, especially given his NBA pedigree. But the draft is never without drama. While the Wizards seem locked in on Dybantsa, the presence of Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazz at No. 2 means nothing is certain until Adam Silver steps to the podium. A surprise trade or a late shift in preference could still shake things up, as seen in the recent CBS mock draft that had Peterson leapfrogging Dybantsa.
For now, Dybantsa is sticking to his guns. He’s visited team facilities, broken bread with executives, and let his game do the talking. Whether that bold strategy pays off or backfires will be clear soon enough. But if his coach’s advice is any guide, the smart money says the Wizards won’t overthink this one.
