AJ Dybantsa breaks Kevin Durant’s historic record
AJ Dybantsa sets a new Big 12 NCAA scoring record. The BYU freshman surpasses Kevin Durant's legendary mark with 93 points in three games, confirming his status as a future star of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Photo Credit : © William Purnell-Imagn Images
American college basketball witnessed a historic moment during the Big 12 tournament. AJ Dybantsa, the BYU sensation and potential first pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, surpassed a 19-year-old record held by Kevin Durant. With 93 points scored in three games, the 6’9″ forward exceeded by one point the mark established by his idol in 2007.
A feat accomplished against Houston despite elimination
Dybantsa’s record performance concluded during BYU’s 73-66 loss to Houston in the Big 12 tournament quarterfinals. With 26 points in this decisive game, the freshman reached 93 total points, thus breaking Durant’s 92 points achieved in 2006-2007 while wearing Texas colors.
AJ Dybantsa’s Big 12 Tournament run:
vs. HOU 26 PTS | 7-18 FG | 3-5 3PT | 5 REB
vs. WVU 27 PTS | 11-24 FG | 7 REB | 3 AST
vs. KSU 40 PTS | 15-21 FG | 9 REB | 6 AST | 3 STLThe freshman averaged 31 PPG | 52 FG% | 7 RPG | 4 APG pic.twitter.com/A4BIYqmikQ
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) March 13, 2026
« Everyone knows he’s my favorite player, » Dybantsa said about Durant. « So it feels good to break his record. » The feat is all the more remarkable because, like Durant at the time, Dybantsa accomplished it as a freshman.
Dybantsa’s run in this Big 12 tournament will go down in history: 40 points in the first game, 27 points in the second round, then 26 points in the quarterfinals, all with 52% shooting. A demonstration of offensive power that confirms his status as an exceptional prospect.
Unanimous praise despite the loss
Kelvin Sampson, Houston’s coach, was full of praise for the young prodigy: « He can shoot. There are a lot of guys who really know how to score, but they don’t know how to shoot. If you watch the ball roll off his fingertips and his release from the free-throw line, you can tell he’s an elite shooter. »
Kevin Young, BYU’s coach, also defended his star player despite a more difficult second half at 3/10 shooting: « He can do everything on the court you want a basketball player to do. I thought he played an excellent offensive game. He should have scored 40 points again. »
With this new record and his exceptional performances, AJ Dybantsa further strengthens his position as the favorite to be selected first overall in the 2026 Draft. Meanwhile, BYU hopes for an NCAA tournament invitation to be announced Sunday.
With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.
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