The answer was straightforward. But, according to AJ Dybantsa, it was not insignificant. “I certainly made the correct decision,” he added.
In the moment, it was reflection. After the event, it seemed like something more had occurred. Not because the BYU Cougars defeated the Texas Longhorns 79-71 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but because of what will happen next.
Dybantsa is widely expected to be a top-two or three selection in the NBA Draft in June. Whether he expresses it now or later, the way forward is already becoming clear.
“Just talk to my family,” he replied when questioned about his next move. “My mother finally… She is, in a way, the big boss. “
Even in defeat, Dybantsa demonstrated why NBA teams are already circling. There were periods when his shot-making and capacity to generate space shone, and the game slowed down and everything flowed through him.
For BYU, that presence shaped the season. “I just like how we persisted,” Dybantsa remarked. “We might have folded and lost by 20, but we attempted to cut it down and push for the win. “
That drive followed a challenging first half, which head coach Kevin Young described as “extremely disappointing,” especially on the boards. BYU recovered in the second half, but the early deficit was too large to conquer.
Nonetheless, the effort was consistent with what Young had seen from this group throughout the year, and what Dybantsa assisted in establish.
“I’ll most likely look back in 20 years and feel tremendous delight that I was able to be a part of his journey,” Young remarked. “He’s going to be a Coug for life. “
That’s the side of AJ’s season that won’t appear in draft predictions.
He came as a marquee player capable of transforming a program. BYU built around him, surrounding him with veteran leadership and scoring opportunities that, at one point, comprised one of the most prolific trios in college basketball.
