BYU star AJ Dybantsa is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft and could potentially be picked by the Washington Wizards. Ahead of the draft, he has drawn comparisons to various star players. On Friday, Hall of Fame journalist David Aldridge compared Dybantsa to former Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Garnett.
Scouts have compared the college star to current NBA star Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics. He was also compared to former Orlando Magic star Tracy McGrady. Some scouts have also compared him to Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard because of his developing two-way potential.
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However, it was the first time that someone compared him to Garnett. Most of the comparisons that AJ Dybantsa has received are from perimeter players. This time, Aldridge sees a little bit of the Hall of Fame big man in how he plays.
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“AJ could be really, really good. He could be KG with a jump shot,” he said.
After receiving the comparisons, fans erupted online over AJ Dybantsa. Here are some of what the fans said.
“literally the opposite of KG as a defender,” a fan said.
“Huh, I’d say Caleb Wilson is more like Garnett🤷🏻♂️” another fan commented.
“NBA draft comparison really be based off skin complexion 😭😭😭” one fan said.
The analogies regarding AJ Dybantsa shocked other NBA fans.
“KG had a jump shot, so that’s a really weird comment (bad comp in general),” someone commented.
“KG had a jump shot what are we even talking about, most of these pro comparisons are absolutely dogs**t,” a comment read.
“I mean there not even the same position I see more T Mac than I do with KG,” one fan commented.
AJ Dybantsa Could Be the No. 2 Pick And Go to the Jazz
There is a chance that the Utah Jazz could draft AJ Dybantsa. According to Marc Stein of “The Stein Line” on Thursday, the Wizards are leaning towards using their No. 1 pick to draft Darryn Peterson of Kansas.
“With only a few days to go before Tuesday night’s first round of the NBA Draft, multiple draft experts have passed along that they legitimately believe Washington could select Kansas’ Darryn Peterson over BYU’s AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick,” Stein wrote.
“Jazz owner and BYU alumnus Ryan Smith would undoubtedly be giddy with this outcome… Dybantsa slipping to No. 2 this June, for Smith and his Jazz, would be a dream.”
According to earlier rumors, the Jazz are divided between Duke’s Cam Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, and Darryn Peterson. Each of the three prospects has demonstrated that they are worthy of being selected as a top choice.
Edited by Reign Amurao