Projected top pick AJ Dybantsa hopes to share the hardwood with LeBron James, aiming to face the legendary King before the NBA’s all-time leading scorer hangs it up.
AJ Dybantsa has the opportunity to make history next week.
The former BYU Cougars star is projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, which would be the highest in school history. While it's noted as a bucket list item for Dybantsa, he also wants to tell his kids he shared the court with an NBA legend.
During a recent sit-down interview alongside his fellow draft classmates — Duke's Cameron Boozer and Kansas' Darryn Peterson— Dybantsa was asked who he’s most excited to play against in the NBA. The answer was simple. LeBron James.
“Hopefully Bron doesn't retire. Playing against Bron will be great," Dybantsa said. "I don’t think none of us get starstruck. Even if we’re playing against him we won’t get starstruck. But at the end of the day, it’s LeBron. The fact that you’re on the same court with LeBron is crazy.”
James, who enters his 24th season in the league, is expected to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to multiple reports. At 41, the NBA All-Time leading scorer is only adding to his list of accomplishments. He has also accumulated records for the most All-Star selections, All-NBA selections, minutes played, and career field goals. The future Hall of Famer averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game last season.
While many believe James' game will continue to diminish, that's not the case as of right now. He's still putting up decent numbers and might play another three to five years.
When Dybantsa was born in 2007, James was a three-time NBA All-Star in the midst of a fourth title with the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, he was still five years away from winning his first of four NBA titles, and another eight years away from earning AP's Male Athlete of the Decade.
Dybantsa will wait for his "Welcome to the NBA" moment with Adam Silver next week. But his appreciation for those who came before him in the game of basketball puts him above the rest.
The Washington Wizards hold the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and are reportedly between Dybantsa and Peterson. The team has interviewed both former five-star talents and could go either way. However, Dybantsa is widely viewed as the generational talent ready to make an impact.
The 2026 NBA Draft is a two-night event starting on June 23 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Both rounds begin at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN.
