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AJ Dybantsa’s tantalizing skill has long made him the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft.
The BYU standout met all expectations in becoming a first-team Associated Press All-American. He’s the headliner among a forward group that features fellow freshmen Cameron Boozer of Duke and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson. That trio, along with Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, form the top tier of overall prospects.
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Here’s a look at top forwards entering first round of the draft Tuesday night:
AJ Dybantsa, BYU
STRENGTHS: Dybantsa averaged a national-best 25.5 points with his ability to create his own shot and get to the foul line. He also averaged 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists and shot 51%, packaged in a sturdy 6-foot-9, 217-pound frame.
He scored a BYU freshman-record 43 points against Utah and broke Kevin Durant’s freshman Big 12 Tournament record with 40 points against Kansas State. He also led the country in free throws (229) and attempts (296), getting to the line at least 10 times in 15 games.
Synergy rated him as “Excellent” as the ball handler in pick-and-roll scenarios (87th percentile, 27% of total possessions) and post-ups (94th, 10.9%). He also popped against top-10 foes by averaging 26.9 points in seven games, including 35 points in a loss to Final Four-bound Arizona and a near triple-double (29 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists) in an upset of sixth-ranked Iowa State.
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CONCERNS: His 3-point shot needs refinement. He hit 33.1%, including a final-month slide of 18 for 66 (27.3%) in 12 games. He also must cut down mistakes after averaging 3.1 turnovers.
Cameron Boozer, Duke
STRENGTHS: The 6-8, 253-pound son of former Duke and NBA player Carlos Boozer was a steady interior presence and the fifth freshman selected as AP men’s national player of the year.
He averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds, routinely finishing through contact (55.6% field goals, 78.9% free throws) that sometimes left him scratched and wounded. He shot…
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Publish date : 2026-06-18 15:04:00
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