Updated

Updated · The New York Times · Jun 19

AJ Dybantsa Emerges as 2026 Draft's No. 1 Wing as 6-8 BYU Star Draws Jaylen Brown Comparisons

Updated

Updated · The New York Times · Jun 19

AJ Dybantsa Emerges as 2026 Draft's No. 1 Wing as 6-8 BYU Star Draws Jaylen Brown Comparisons

Q: With historic stats, is big man Cameron Boozer the true top prospect being overlooked in this wing-heavy draft class?

No. Cameron Boozer is not being overlooked; he is already viewed by many evaluators as one of the very best players in the 2026 class, and in some models he has a real case for No. 1. The wing-heavy conversation starts with AJ Dybantsa because elite two-way scoring wings are the league’s most coveted archetype, and Dybantsa’s profile fits that perfectly: 25.5 points per game, top-tier physical tools, foul drawing, and star upside. That is why he remains the consensus favorite at the top. But Boozer’s résumé is unusually strong even against that backdrop. At Duke, Boozer posted a historic freshman statistical season: 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists, while shooting 55.6% from the field, 39.1% from three and 78.9% from the line. His advanced numbers were elite as well, including a 17.1 BPM and 131.4 offensive rating. For a 6-foot-9 power forward, the combination of scoring efficiency, passing and shot gravity is rare. Some draft models rate him as the top prospect in the class, and he has been described as one of the most dependable freshman stars in recent memory. The real debate is not whether Boozer is overlooked, but whether teams should prefer Dybantsa’s premium wing upside or Boozer’s extraordinary production and reliability. Right now, league consensus still leans Dybantsa at No. 1, with Boozer firmly in the top tier rather than in the shadows.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 19

Multiple NBA executives and scouts in The Athletic’s confidential survey said 19-year-old BYU forward AJ Dybantsa would be their No. 1 pick, citing his size, first step and ability to get to the line.
Dybantsa’s case rests on elite offensive production: the 6-foot-8 1/2 freshman led the nation in scoring and free-throw attempts with 296, reinforcing views that he has rare “apex predator” shot-creation upside.
The main concerns are his 33% 3-point shooting and uneven defensive impact, though evaluators largely framed both as developmental issues rather than red flags because of his frame, athletic tools and competitiveness.
Beyond Dybantsa, Tennessee’s Nate Ament projects as the next forward off the board, while Karim López, Cameron Carr, Dailyn Swain, Allen Graves and Joshua Jefferson were identified as possible late-lottery to mid-20s wing picks.
The report portrays the 2026 class as guard-heavy but still deep in wings, with Dybantsa standing apart as the prospect most teams believe can anchor an NBA offense.