Maybe this is something of a "well, duh" type of article, but I felt it was worth highlighting the fact that BYU basketball is sending another star to the NBA Draft green room to await his chance to climb the podium and shake Adam Silver's hand. It's a star's official welcome into the NBA; everything leading up to this point was just the dress rehearsal.
AJ Dybantsa, the potential top pick in this upcoming draft (assuming Darryn Peterson doesn't steal that spot, or Washington goes off-script like they continue to threaten), joins his classmates in the first wave of 2026 green room invitations. Names like Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson, and a host of other likely lottery picks will have the opportunity to bring family and close friends to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime event.
First wave of 2026 draft green room invites went out today, per sources:
— Jeremy Woo (@JeremyWoo) June 9, 2026
AJ Dybantsa
Darryn Peterson
Cam Boozer
Caleb Wilson
Keaton Wagler
Mikel Brown Jr.
Darius Acuff Jr.
Aday Mara
Karim Lopez
Kingston Flemings
Nate Ament
Brayden Burries
Christian Anderson Jr.
Labaron Philon
How cool is it that BYU basketball is doing this for the second year in a row?
Last year, Egor Demin was a complete draft mystery. A player who, by his recollection, could have been selected anywhere between the fifth pick and, well, the 25th pick. The difference between being on top of the world and being little more than an afterthought is a horrifying proposition for a player whose career is on the line, but things have worked out for Egor in early returns with the Nets, haven't they?
AJ Dybantsa, much like Demin, has been an exceptional representative of BYU both on and off the court. The opportunity to see another BYU alum take the stage and represent Cougar hoops is a special experience, and not one that BYU fans should attempt to get used to.
There's no guarantee that the current era of BYU-to-NBA prospects will continue funneling into the program -- especially with Kevin Young flirting with the Chicago Bulls, the hourglass has certainly flipped on his time away from the NBA.
Whether first, second, third, or 30th (there's no way, but still), seeing AJ Dybantsa take the stage at the NBA Draft will be a landmark moment in the history of BYU basketball. Take it in, and remember the Dybantsa era at BYU, and exactly what it represents for the program at large.
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