AJ Dybantsa takes on a difficult task before NBA debut

AJ Dybantsa is not your typical NBA rookie.

The former BYU Cougars star made a promise to his mother and plans to complete the process. He is working towards getting his college degree while spending time getting adjusted in the NBA.

At this rate, Dybantsa will be graduating from BYU in 2029. Most players would put off finishing up school for years. However, that's not Dybantsa's mentality. Being able to have an education to fall back on is important to him and his family. As great as Dybantsa's NBA deal is on paper, there's nothing on the books past his initial contract.

When Dybantsa got a C- in a class at the age of 13, his father called his AAU coach and told him to bench his son for one game. This seemed excessive, but it taught him how important the value of an education was to the family.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft has signed a four-year rookie-scale contract with the Washington Wizards worth $66.9 million. The contract includes $30.2 million guaranteed, with the final two seasons operating as team options. Dybantsa inked his deal right before the Fourth of July holiday, the team announced. He will make $14.7 million next season, according to Spotrac.

Outside having one of the best calendar years, for Dybantsa, this is about carving a deeper path for his future. He went from being a one-and-done star to being the highest-drafted player in BYU history. Dybantsa was also the No. 1 high school recruit in the 2025 class.

The 6-foot-9 wing has attacked many bucket list items while being able to get his college degree as another one. Dybantsa was the second NBA lottery pick for BYU and coach Kevin Young during the course of his tenure. Egor Demin went eighth overall to the Brooklyn Nets last year. This is proof that the Cougars' NBA-ready blueprint is successful.

What set Dybantsa apart from the rest of this year's generational field was his athleticism and high basketball IQ. He was a consensus first-team All-American, averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals. Not terrible considering he led the nation in scoring and had the third-most points as a freshman in NCAA history.

Dybantsa is the third Wizards player to be selected with the No. 1 pick. He joined Kwame Brown in 2001 and John Wall in 2010. As for BYU history, he's the only top pick, surpassing Shawn Bradley who went No. 2 overall in the 1993 NBA Draft.

Dybantsa's debut in that nation's capital is coming soon. The Wizards open the season against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. ET.