AJ Dybantsa Enters 2026 NBA Draft Without Agent as 19-Year-Old Eyes No. 1 Pick

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Jun 19

19-year-old AJ Dybantsa is entering next week's NBA draft without an agent, with his father Ace still managing him as he is widely projected to go No. 1, likely to Washington.
Ace Dybantsa said years of pressure from grassroots programs, middlemen and agents — including pushes to choose representation when AJ was 14 — convinced the family to keep control in-house.
NBA executives and agents told CBS Sports the strategy is defensible because a top-2 rookie deal is largely slotted, with Dybantsa expected to receive 120% of scale and more than $10 million annually.
That approach fits a tightly managed path that took Dybantsa through three high schools and one season at BYU, where he scored 894 points, posted a 3.6 GPA and never missed a practice.
If Dybantsa goes first on Tuesday, the family-run model could become a closely watched blueprint for elite prospects seeking NBA entry on their own terms.

Sources

CBS Sports1d ago

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Pro Football Network1d ago

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MSN1d ago

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9 Sources

By building a corporate team for his son, has Ace Dybantsa made sports agents obsolete for top prospects?

Is Dybantsa’s agent-free path to millions the new blueprint for athletes, or a uniquely risky gamble?

AJ Dybantsa and the 2026 NBA Draft: The No. 1 Prospect’s Bold Agent-Free Strategy and Its Impact on the Future of Athlete Management

Overview

As the 2026 NBA Draft approaches, AJ Dybantsa stands out as the consensus No. 1 prospect, drawing major attention for his decision to enter the draft without a traditional agent. Instead, his father, Ace Dybantsa, is managing his professional affairs, creating a unique narrative that has sent ripples through NBA circles. The Washington Wizards are widely expected to select Dybantsa first overall, attracted by his exceptional skill set and high ceiling. This agent-free approach challenges industry norms and highlights a new path for top prospects, making Dybantsa’s journey a focal point of this year’s draft.

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