AJ Dybantsa Sets Sights on BYU Basketball’s National Championship Run

AJ Dybantsa didn’t come to BYU to play it safe. He came to win it all.

With eyes already on him as a projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the newest Cougars phenom has made it clear: individual accolades mean little without team hardware. And for Dybantsa, that means one thing: a national championship. Dybantsa recently spoke with ESPN’s Jonathan Givony during the USA Basketball U19 training camp.

“I think we all have one goal in mind. It’s to win a national championship. There’s nothing less,” Dybantsa said during USA Basketball’s U19 training camp. “We made it to the Sweet 16 last year in (Coach Kevin Young’s) first year. So we’re intending to go farther.”

That hunger to elevate BYU’s national profile isn’t just talk. It’s personal. Here’s how Dybantsa says the Cougars are preparing to shift the narrative and shock the country:

Championship or Bust Mentality

Dybantsa’s arrival in Provo signals a shift, not just in talent, but in expectations. The Cougars broke a fourteen-year drought by reaching the Sweet 16 last March. That’s no longer enough.

With Young’s NBA-influenced offensive schemes and the addition of top-tier talent like five-star guard Robert Wright III, BYU is gearing up for a historic run through the gauntlet that is the Big 12.

“I mean, we’re intending to go farther,” Dybantsa said. “There’s nothing less we’re aiming for than that title.”

Thriving Under Pressure

From being the top player in his class to battling other elite prospects, Dybantsa knows he’s got a target on his back, and he welcomes it.

“You don’t want to just breeze through everybody. You play basketball for competition. I’m a competitor. I like to compete,” he said.

That mindset will be critical in conference play, especially when BYU visits hostile environments like Kansas’ Allen Fieldhouse.

“Every game in the Big 12 is a big game,” Dybantsa said. “But that’s one of the tougher environments to play in.”

Expanding His Game

While known for his explosive scoring and two-way dominance, Dybantsa wants fans to know there’s more in his bag. Coach Young sees untapped potential in his passing and playmaking. These are skills the freshman is ready to showcase in BYU’s versatile system.

“The way they used a big guard like Egor last year, I think I’ll be in some of those positions,” Dybantsa explained. “I’m 6-8, so I think I’ll be creating a lot this year.”

A Message to Cougar Nation

Dybantsa knows what’s at stake, and he wants BYU fans to know this team is all in.

The Cougars are no longer the underdog. With Dybantsa leading a stacked roster and Young pulling the strings, the blueprint is in place. Now, it’s time to execute.

“That No. 1 pick? That’ll come, if I win,” Dybantsa said.

The message is clear: title or nothing.