From the very first game, AJ Dybantsa's freshman season in the Big 12 Conference has been compared to that of Kevin Durant's freshman year with Texas back in 2006-07. Two transformative talents dominating the Big 12 in their lone collegiate seasons, it's hard to ignore the parallels between Durant's All-American season and Dybantsa's dominance this year with BYU.
Especially with Dybantsa shattering Durant's records in his first taste of postseason competition.
AJ Dybantsa scored 40 points in BYU's round-one victory over Kansas State on Tuesday evening. A much-needed offensive punch for a team struggling to slow the Wildcats on the defensive end. Add to the pot the fact that star point guard Rob Wright went down with a facial injury in the second half, and every viewer knew it would be the Dybantsa show.
AJ Dybantsa in BYU's Big 12 tournament win over Kansas State tonight:
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 11, 2026
40 points
9 rebounds
6 assists
3 steals
15-21 FG
2-6 3PT
8-9 FT
The first player with 35 points and 5 assists in a game in Big 12 tournament history, per ESPN Research.pic.twitter.com/w8Dzs274HH
40 points is the most by a freshman in any Big 12 Conference Tournament game, surpassing Durant's record of 37 in the '07 championship game. Add his 9 boards, 6 assists, and 3 steals, and Tuesday marked the first time a player has scored at least 35 points with 5 or more assists in any Big 12 Tournament game.
All just a chunk of the story in a game that saw BYU post 105 points as a team -- another Big 12 Tournament record.
Just a few days removed from Dybantsa's Big 12 Player of the Year award snub, BYU's superstar put together the greatest single-game performance in the league's postseason history. Any remorse from the voters on that one?
BYU basketball advances to the tournament's second round with their win over Kansas State, setting a meeting with the Mountaineers of West Virginia, who recently beat Dybantsa's Cougars post-Saunders injury. With Wright's health looming with uncertainty following Tuesday's game -- he never returned to action after going down in the second half -- BYU basketball may need another all-time performance from Dybantsa to advance.
But for now, let's enjoy what we just witnessed: history made once again by the freshman AJ Dybantsa.