When A.J. Dybantsa steps on the court, scouts can’t help but lean in and watch his every move. The 6-foot-9 wing is already projected as the potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, largely because his combination of size, skill, and sheer explosiveness sets him apart. For BYU fans, the excitement is building around the teenager who can create mismatches, drain contested midrange shots, finish through contact, and even initiate offense for his teammates.
However, as Dybantsa prepares to make his mark in Provo, someone else is looking to test that top-tier status.
Why Is Nisre Zouzoua Challenging the Projected Top Pick?
Nisre Zouzoua, a guard for FUS Rabat, has issued an open challenge. The Ivory Coast international recently spoke to Untouchable Ty, where he made a cheeky comment, saying, “Scritus, aka Niz, aka the best player in Brockton. Tell AJ I said that.” He then posted the same message to his story, tagging Dybantsa and doubling down with another statement.
“You’re number one in the country. But I’m number one in the city!!” Zouzoua wrote. Dybantsa, never one to back down, fired back simply by reposting the story with the words “run the ones,” implying he is ready to let the court decide who deserves the top spot.
Zouzoua, who began his college career at Bryant before transferring to Nevada, has certainly had his moments on the hardwood. As a sophomore, he averaged an impressive 20.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. Although Zouzoua went undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft, his journey has continued to evolve.
Following his college career, Zouzoua started his professional path with Dax Gamarde in the French NM1, where he averaged 19 points in his rookie season. While playing for the ABC Fighters in the 2024 Road to B.A.L., he averaged 14.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and three assists per game. He then joined FUS Rabat for the 2024-25 season.
There is no denying that Zouzoua’s experience, both in the United States and internationally, makes him a worthy challenger, even to a prospect as highly touted as Dybantsa. At the same time, dreams are made of Dybantsa’s own resume.
At the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup, Dybantsa averaged 14.3 points per game on 50% shooting from the field and 84% from the free-throw line. He also scored 25 points in the Jordan Brand Classic. Furthermore, while playing with Team USA earlier this year, he scored 24 points with six rebounds, five assists, and three steals in a 124-114 overtime victory. Putting the stats aside, the clash of styles and career paths is what makes this brewing rivalry so intriguing.
The matchup pits two different archetypes against each other. Dybantsa represents the modern NBA wing, a player who thrives on versatility. He’s an elite midrange shooter, a capable playmaker, and a defensive presence with the ability to switch quickly and block shots. Zouzoua, on the other hand, brings the slick scoring instincts and toughness of a seasoned professional who has honed his craft overseas and is capable of defining a game with 20-plus point performances.
A one-on-one battle between Dybantsa’s raw athleticism and length versus Zouzoua’s scoring craft and experience would make for a brilliant show. As one fan rightly asked, “1v1 👀”.
Whether this showdown happens in a Massachusetts gym, a BYU arena, or an international court, the challenge has been laid down. Based on the online reaction, basketball fans are all for seeing it happen.
