The 2026 NBA Draft is still months away, but the buzz surrounding projected top pick AJ Dybantsa is already reaching fever pitch. The former BYU sensation, who lit up college basketball this past season, has finally pulled back the curtain on the players who shape his game — and the list is raising eyebrows across the league.
In a candid sit-down with DevInTheLab, Dybantsa didn’t just name-drop; he revealed a blueprint. When asked about his favorite active player, the 6-foot-9 scoring machine didn’t hesitate: “My favorite player is Kevin Durant.” But sources close to the prospect claim it’s not just hero worship — it’s a calculated study. “He watches KD film religiously,” one insider told us. “But he knows he can’t mimic him exactly. Nobody can.”
Instead, Dybantsa reportedly focuses on a quartet of current stars for specific elements of his game. “Right now, Anthony Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for buckets,” he said. “And for reads, Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham.” Observers note that this mix — explosive scoring from Edwards and SGA, combined with the elite playmaking of Dončić and Cunningham — suggests Dybantsa is building a multifaceted attack that could terrorize NBA defenses for years.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Dybantsa averaged a staggering 25 points per game on 51% shooting for the Cougars last season, along with 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals in 35 games. Those numbers alone have scouts salivating. But what’s reportedly got front-office execs truly worried is his obsessive film study. “He’s not just talented — he’s a student,” a league source alleged. “That combination is rare, and it’s why he’s the consensus No. 1.”
The revelation comes on the heels of another draft hopeful, former North Carolina star Caleb Wilson, sharing his own inspiration list — heavy on Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. But insiders say Dybantsa’s more contemporary selection could signal a shift in how the next generation of stars approaches the game. “He’s not looking backward,” one analyst speculated. “He’s studying the guys he’ll actually have to guard. That’s next-level thinking.”
As draft night approaches, all eyes will be on Dybantsa — and on whether his carefully curated influences can translate into instant NBA stardom. If his film room habits are any indication, the league better be ready.
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