Podcast: AJ Dybantsa talks individual development, NEPSAC memories and more

AJ Dybantsa is a projected top-three pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. (Vianney Thibaut/FIBA via Getty Images)

AJ Dybantsa is the next rising superstar everyone in New England is following.

The incoming BYU freshman is a projected top-three pick in next year’s NBA Draft. A 6-foot-9 wing with special explosiveness and athleticism, Dybantsa has been at or near the top of national rankings since he got to high school. The Brockton, Mass., native spent two years in NEPSAC at St. Sebastian’s before transferring to Prolific Prep in California and then Utah Prep.

This summer, Dybantsa has been everywhere. He won MVP of the FIBA U19 World Cup, he attended the Monaco Grand Prix through his NIL partnership with Red Bull, and he threw out the first pitch at a Red Sox game in July — in addition to summer classes and workouts at BYU.

Dybantsa joined the HoopWise Podcast to give an update on his jam-packed summer and his personal development. He also talked about NBA and film study, his memories playing in NEPSAC and more.

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Highlights

On Paul George’s podcast, you mentioned getting to work out with Chris Paul and seeing the level of court awareness and I.Q. he has. What was it like watching him?

Dybantsa: “I mean, Chris Paul’s one of one – you don’t need his I.Q. to make it to the NBA, but if you have his I.Q., you’ll be way far ahead. But he’s just ridiculous. Like the way he thinks, it’s super far ahead.”

You’re in the No. 1 pick race with Cam Boozer and Darryn Peterson right now. What do you like about their games?

Dybantsa: “I’ll start with Boozer. Booze, he’s gonna give you 25 and 10 every night. He’s very consistent. You’re not really gonna bully him out of his way; he knows where to go. And DP, he’s just like a professional scorer — he can score all three levels. He’s gonna get a bucket regardless.”

FAMILY FIRST: How the Dybantsas have adjusted to AJ’s budding stardom

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The HoopWise podcast can be streamed here and on major platforms, such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.