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AJ Dybantsa opted to take his talents to the NBA after just a season of college basketball, showing his future potential with impressive games for the BYU Cougars, including several high-scoring outbursts that had scouts taking notice.
His team didn’t advance far into the NCAA Tournament, but it didn’t matter. His basketball skills already made a strong case for him to be one of the top picks, if not the first pick overall, in the NBA Draft.
However, he recently revealed a surprising and perhaps alarming truth about his pre-draft activities, which he spoke about during an appearance on the “Baseline Banter” podcast.
After saying he would work out in the area later on, Dybantsa said he was finished with all the team workouts and pre-draft activities. That prompted one of the hosts to ask him how many teams he worked out for.
More news:Dan Hurley Addresses Potential UConn Game at White House After UFC Event
PROVO, UT – FEBRUARY 7: AJ Dybantsa #3 of the Brigham Young Cougars warms up before their game against the Houston Cougars at the Marriott Center on February 7, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
“I didn’t work out for none. I just visited the cities,” Dybantsa admitted, drawing an “Excuse me?” from a host.
“Take me to the facility. You know, take me to dinner. Talk. I don’t gotta work out,” Dybantsa said of his pre-draft activities with prospective teams. “They know what I can do.”
It’s a surprising statement from one of the top prospects entering the draft, and arrives soon after fellow prospect, Kansas’s Darryn Peterson, reportedly chose not to work out for the team with the No. 2 pick, the Utah Jazz. For months, many analysts and mock draft creators projected Dybantsa as the No. 1 pick for the Washington Wizards, followed by Peterson.
It makes one wonder why teams wouldn’t want to see more from their future players. It also suggests that maybe the latest prospects feel they don’t need to prove anything and would prefer their college resumes to speak for themselves.
On ESPN’s “NBA Today,” draft insider Jeremy Woo recently moved Peterson to No. 1 on his list of top 100 players entering the draft ahead of Dybantsa. Woo mentioned that teams feel comfortable with his medical situation after he dealt with cramping in college.
“I’ve settled with Peterson. I think he is the most gifted offensive player in the draft, and just from a shooting perspective, he’s one of the best shooters for his age, I’ve ever seen,” Woo indicated.
Woo clarified that his top 100 list isn’t the same as his mock draft, which will reflect what he believes the Wizards will ultimately decide to do with the first overall pick. It appears that Dybantsa remains at the top of his mock draft, giving the Wizards a player who could make an immediate impact and shape the future of their franchise.
Still, he said, “It’s a razor-thin margin between these guys, and it’s always been that way.” Interestingly, Peterson worked out for some teams, which could be what separates him as the better overall pick.
Some teams tend to draft based on best fit, while others take the best available player when it comes to their team, so it appears that the teams at the top have a clear idea of which players they want on their roster.
More news:Caitlin Clark Puts the WNBA on Notice With Honest Self-Assessment
For more about the NBA Draft, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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His team didn’t advance far into the NCAA Tournament, but it didn’t matter. His basketball skills already made a strong case for him to be one of the top picks, if not the first pick overall, in the NBA Draft.
However, he recently revealed a surprising and perhaps alarming truth about his pre-draft activities, which he spoke about during an appearance on the “Baseline Banter” podcast.
After saying he would work out in the area later on, Dybantsa said he was finished with all the team workouts and pre-draft activities. That prompted one of the hosts to ask him how many teams he worked out for.
More news:Dan Hurley Addresses Potential UConn Game at White House After UFC Event
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PROVO, UT – FEBRUARY 7: AJ Dybantsa #3 of the Brigham Young Cougars warms up before their game against the Houston Cougars at the Marriott Center on February 7, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
“I didn’t work out for none. I just visited the cities,” Dybantsa admitted, drawing an “Excuse me?” from a host.
“Take me to the facility. You know, take me to dinner. Talk. I don’t gotta work out,” Dybantsa said of his pre-draft activities with prospective teams. “They know what I can do.”
It’s a surprising statement from one of the top prospects entering the draft, and arrives soon after fellow prospect, Kansas’s Darryn Peterson, reportedly chose not to work out for the team with the No. 2 pick, the Utah Jazz. For months, many analysts and mock draft creators projected Dybantsa as the No. 1 pick for the Washington Wizards, followed by Peterson.
It makes one wonder why teams wouldn’t want to see more from their future players. It also suggests that maybe the latest prospects feel they don’t need to prove anything and would prefer their college resumes to speak for themselves.
On ESPN’s “NBA Today,” draft insider Jeremy Woo recently moved Peterson to No. 1 on his list of top 100 players entering the draft ahead of Dybantsa. Woo mentioned that teams feel comfortable with his medical situation after he dealt with cramping in college.
“I’ve settled with Peterson. I think he is the most gifted offensive player in the draft, and just from a shooting perspective, he’s one of the best shooters for his age, I’ve ever seen,” Woo indicated.
Woo clarified that his top 100 list isn’t the same as his mock draft, which will reflect what he believes the Wizards will ultimately decide to do with the first overall pick. It appears that Dybantsa remains at the top of his mock draft, giving the Wizards a player who could make an immediate impact and shape the future of their franchise.
Still, he said, “It’s a razor-thin margin between these guys, and it’s always been that way.” Interestingly, Peterson worked out for some teams, which could be what separates him as the better overall pick.
Some teams tend to draft based on best fit, while others take the best available player when it comes to their team, so it appears that the teams at the top have a clear idea of which players they want on their roster.
More news:Caitlin Clark Puts the WNBA on Notice With Honest Self-Assessment
For more about the NBA Draft, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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