If you created a prospect in a lab, they would probably look a lot like AJ Dybantsa. So...how come he isn't the run-away #1 prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft Class? Stephen Gillaspie dives in.
He loves the fakes, pivots, and the gather over in the mid post to the middle. He does that thing a lot where he takes a dribble and covers extra ground for a mid range by walking in sync with his dribble
Is he a generational talent? Or more so a perennial All-Star? The tanking for him seems a bit excessive from what I have seen. He is good, but not like a LeBron.
Hard to know right now. Just because he isn't coming into this class as a PREMIER generational prospect doesn't rule out that outcome. We as a basketball community speak retroactively once an outcome has been reached. Is there a possibility that AJ is one of the best players in the NBA?
I genuinely believe that outcome exists. And I think that the film and the numbers show that he is above average for his age compared to Kawhi Leonard, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Williams, Paolo Banchero, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Johnson, OG Anunoby, etc. That's a real thing that is happening. And he is doing it at crazy size.
I also don't think the tanking is just for him. There just so happens to be about 3-4 more players that many NBA teams feel are operating at the same level for him. And that level is special. There are also about 4-7 more names who are just a step-to-half-a-step behind--which is still very good. So, it's the volume of talent available in addition to a very talented AJ Dybantsa likely being a Top 2/Top 3 talent.
Thank you for reaching out and I hope this answers your question.
He loves the fakes, pivots, and the gather over in the mid post to the middle. He does that thing a lot where he takes a dribble and covers extra ground for a mid range by walking in sync with his dribble
Is he a generational talent? Or more so a perennial All-Star? The tanking for him seems a bit excessive from what I have seen. He is good, but not like a LeBron.
Hard to know right now. Just because he isn't coming into this class as a PREMIER generational prospect doesn't rule out that outcome. We as a basketball community speak retroactively once an outcome has been reached. Is there a possibility that AJ is one of the best players in the NBA?
I genuinely believe that outcome exists. And I think that the film and the numbers show that he is above average for his age compared to Kawhi Leonard, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Williams, Paolo Banchero, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Johnson, OG Anunoby, etc. That's a real thing that is happening. And he is doing it at crazy size.
I also don't think the tanking is just for him. There just so happens to be about 3-4 more players that many NBA teams feel are operating at the same level for him. And that level is special. There are also about 4-7 more names who are just a step-to-half-a-step behind--which is still very good. So, it's the volume of talent available in addition to a very talented AJ Dybantsa likely being a Top 2/Top 3 talent.
Thank you for reaching out and I hope this answers your question.