For most elite athletes, missing out on a major award can spark frustration or finger-pointing. But AJ Dybantsa offered a different perspective after many fans and analysts believed the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year award slipped through his fingers.
The BYU star has put together what many consider a season for the ages, helping elevate the Cougars’ basketball program while cementing his place as one of college basketball’s brightest young talents. Since committing to BYU out of high school as a five-star recruit, Dybantsa has been viewed as a centerpiece for the program’s rise in the Big 12.
AJ Dybantsa Focuses on Driving More Team Success at BYU
Arizona senior point guard Jaden Bradley has been named Big 12 Player of the Year after guiding the Wildcats to a 29-2 overall record and the Big 12 regular-season championship. He averaged 13.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.4 steals in conference play.
When asked about the perceived snub in a sit-down conversation with Big 12 journalist Chancellor Johnson, Dybantsa flipped the perspective inward.
“It’s not always about scoring,” he said. “You can’t be the MVP if you’re on a losing team. I should’ve got more wins.”
The Big 12 Player of the Year has been debated for the past 24 hours.
Caught up with AJ Dybantsa for his thoughts.
He told me he thought should’ve won it, but added:
– “It’s not always about scoring.”
– “You can’t be the MVP if you’re on a losing team. I should’ve got… pic.twitter.com/0JZfPpuZpt
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) March 11, 2026
While Dybantsa acknowledged that he believed he had a strong case to win the award, his response focused on accountability and team success rather than personal frustration.
That mindset caught the attention of prominent basketball analyst and draft expert Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, who quote-tweeted the interview clip with praise.
“Really respect AJ here just straight up saying ‘I should have gotten more wins’ if he wanted to be Big 12 POY. Love that attitude,” Vecenie said.
In an era when individual accolades and brand-building can dominate the conversation, especially in the rapidly evolving NIL landscape, Dybantsa’s response stood out. Rather than blaming voters, teammates, or circumstances, he took ownership and pointed to the one thing he believes matters most: winning.
That kind of mentality is rare, particularly for a young star already carrying immense expectations.
For BYU fans, it’s also an encouraging sign. The Cougars’ basketball program has steadily grown in national relevance, and Dybantsa has been at the center of that momentum. His combination of elite talent, competitiveness, and maturity suggests the program’s best days may still lie ahead.
If anything, the Player of the Year debate may end up fueling him even more. And if his response is any indication, Dybantsa isn’t focused on proving people wrong; he’s focused on helping BYU win more games. The individual honors, he believes, will follow.
