AJ Dybantsa’s rise in college basketball has been rapid, but the mindset behind his success might be even more revealing than his production on the court. The BYU freshman, already viewed across the sport as the likely top selection in the 2026 NBA Draft, recently offered a rare glimpse into what fuels his drive.
During a conversation on the Deseret Voices podcast with McKay Coppins, Dybantsa discussed how his competitive mentality developed and why defeat bothers him more than victory excites him.
AJ Dybantsa Describes the Competitive Mindset Driving His Rise at BYU
Dybantsa’s dominant freshman campaign has quickly turned him into one of the most exciting players in men’s college basketball, but he says his approach to competition traces back to a turning point earlier in his life.
While appearing on the Deseret Voices podcast, the BYU standout explained that his relationship with competition shifted significantly during middle school. Early on, basketball felt more like recreation than a pursuit tied to results. That changed when a coach challenged his view of winning and losing.
“No. Yeah, I think it kind of went hand in hand as I was just kind of playing for fun for the most part. My friends, I don’t really care about wins and losses at that age. And then my eighth grade coach who I met in eighth grade, it kind of instilled in me like, bro, you should hate losing more than you love winning.”
That idea reshaped his mentality. Dybantsa said victories should feel routine, while defeats should provoke a stronger emotional response.
“Like your overall record in life should be more wins than losses, not just basketball. So the fact that you lose, you should be way like matter if that’s a word that yourself than if you win. Wins are nice, but you should be like you should be head on fire if you lose.”
The freshman clarified that his motivation is less about chasing triumph and more about avoiding defeat. “It’s not like, ‘Oh, I really, really want to win. It’s like, I just don’t want to lose.’”
Even so, Dybantsa acknowledged that setbacks are unavoidable in any competitive environment. “Yeah. Well, it comes with it, though, like you have to fail a lot of times to be able to win, but I don’t really want to fail too much.”
AJ Dybantsa’s NBA Future, Draft Expectations, and BYU Impact
Dybantsa’s mentality has translated directly into production during his first college season. Through 30 appearances for the BYU Cougars, he leads men’s NCAA Division I in scoring at 24.8 points per game. He also contributes 6.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 52.1% from the field and 34.7% from beyond the arc.
Those numbers — paired with his 6-foot-9 frame and all-around skill set — have fueled widespread projections placing him at the top of the 2026 NBA Draft board. Kansas standout Darryn Peterson and Duke forward Cameron Boozer are also viewed as potential No. 1 selections, but Dybantsa’s versatility has made him a frequent favorite among scouts.
Despite the growing expectations, the freshman has avoided confirming any immediate plans to enter the draft. “I might not leave college,” Dybantsa said on the podcast. “I just gotta wait until the end of the season.” He added, “They can assume. I ain’t say anything.”
Financial incentives at the professional level remain significant. The most recent No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg, signed a four-year $62.7 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks. The No. 2 selection, Dylan Harper, received a four-year, $56.1 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs. Third pick VJ Edgecombe agreed to a four-year, $50.4 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Even so, Dybantsa continues to balance long-term opportunities with his current experience at BYU, where both fans and family remain part of the equation as his future takes shape.
