AJ Dybantsa upgrades Nike NIL deal to professional contract ahead of NBA draft
Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) dribbles against Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) in the second half during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
AJ Dybantsa is making moves both on and off the court as he prepares for the NBA draft. The 6-9, 210-pound forward has upgraded his Nike NIL deal to a professional contract, extending a partnership that began in January 2024 during his college career.
« It means everything, » Dybantsa told ESPN. « They’ve been with me since Day 1. It’s been a great partnership and we’re looking forward to keep building for the long term. »
From college star to NBA prospect
The Boston native declared for the draft after a stellar freshman season at Brigham Young University, where he led the nation in scoring with 25.5 points per game on 51% shooting, along with 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game. His dominance has positioned him as the projected top pick.
« Ever since the rankings came out in 9th grade, I’ve been No. 1 [in my class], » Dybantsa told ESPN. « I haven’t been nothing lower. So, it’s definitely a goal of mine to go No. 1. »
Currently working out in Los Angeles, Dybantsa has been training with former Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas and basketball trainer Zack Gonzales. He’s also been studying the game at the professional level, attending Game 2 of the Los Angeles Lakers‘ first-round series against the Houston Rockets.
« It’s definitely physical, » Dybantsa said about NBA playoff basketball. « Things get a little more crazy in the playoffs. It’s probably a tough environment to play in because it’s a very physical game. »
Preparing for the next level
His preparation at BYU included working with director of strength and conditioning Michael Davie, who previously won a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks. « He would compare, for example, my lateral movement compared to Jrue Holiday or my vertical jump compared to Giannis Antetokounmpo, » Dybantsa explained.
Head coach Kevin Young, a longtime NBA assistant, also prepared him for professional basketball. « KY just put us in positions to be a pro, » Dybantsa said. « You’ve seen me a lot of isolations, you’ve seen me a lot of pick-and-roll. »
As part of the new Nike deal, the company created a logo for Dybantsa featuring his initials in a star design, referencing his childhood nickname « Star Boy. » Looking ahead, he has ambitious goals beyond just being drafted first overall.
« There’s so many greats that have won Rookie of the Year, » he said. « I don’t want to not win Rookie of the Year. I’m not going to sit here and be like, ‘Oh, I don’t really care about Rookie of the Year.’ Yeah, I definitely want to win it. »
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