The 2026 NBA Draft is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated in recent memory, with two exceptional prospects battling for consensus number one status.
AJ Dybantsa has long been considered the clear favorite to go first overall, but Darryn Peterson’s talent and potential have kept the conversation open about who should ultimately be selected with the top pick.
However, Peterson’s cramping issues and early exits from games at Kansas have raised questions about his durability and commitment, leading scouts and executives to doubt whether he’s worth the risk at the first selection.
Bill Simmons Backs AJ Dybantsa to Go No. 1 Over Darryn Peterson
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons made his position crystal clear when discussing the top of the 2026 draft, emphatically stating that AJ Dybantsa should be the unanimous choice for the number one pick. “I think it would be insane not to take him first. This is a sure thing,” Simmons declared, leaving no doubt about his assessment.
“I think it would be insane not to take him first.”@BillSimmons makes the case for why BYU’s AJ Dybantsa should be the clear first pick in this year’s NBA draft. pic.twitter.com/9dWloT13xD
— The Ringer (@ringer) February 25, 2026
Simmons framed the decision as a choice between potential and certainty, weighing Peterson’s theoretical ceiling against Dybantsa’s proven excellence.
“The upside that you could potentially have with Peterson, this chance that he might, this best guard of the last 20 years type of potential, versus what we know we’re going to get with AJ,” he explained, acknowledging Peterson’s considerable upside while emphasizing Dybantsa’s reliability.
The analyst expressed amazement at Dybantsa’s current skill level and polish for someone his age. “I can’t believe some of the stuff he is doing,” Simmons said, highlighting the advanced nature of Dybantsa’s game that separates him from typical prospects entering the draft at 19 years old.
Simmons then broke down specific aspects of Dybantsa’s offensive arsenal that demonstrate his elite skill level. “He can do the turnaround to the left. He can do a turnaround, follow it to the other side, or he can do a spin, go to the basket. He can spin to the basket on either side,” Simmons detailed, describing the variety of moves Dybantsa possesses from a single spot on the floor.
For NBA general managers facing the pressure of getting the number one pick right, Simmons’ argument carries weight. Executives can get fired for draft mistakes, especially at the top of the board, making the “sure thing” nature of Dybantsa appealing compared to the uncertainty surrounding Peterson’s health and availability.
Peterson’s talent is undeniable, and in a perfect world where the cramping issues don’t exist and he’s available for every game, perhaps the debate would be closer. However, as Simmons suggests, the combination of health concerns and the remarkable skill level Dybantsa is already showing makes this a clearer decision than some might think.
