byu basketball

What’s next for BYU freshman superstar AJ Dybantsa after Cougars’ first-round loss to Texas?

Phenom AJ Dybantsa declines to answer whether he will turn pro after 79-71 BYU loss, as has been widely expected

Published: March 19, 2026, 11:02 p.m. MDT

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) gestures to the crowd after the Cougars were eliminated by Texas 79-71 in the first-round of the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Jay has covered sports in Utah for more than 30 years and has been writing for the Deseret News since 2019.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Although he still isn’t flat-out saying it, AJ Dybantsa almost surely played his final game in a BYU uniform on Thursday night as the Cougars were bounced 79-71 by slight underdog Texas in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Dybantsa, the leading scorer in the country with a 25.3 points per game average, played one of his better games — scoring a game-high 35 points on 11 of 25 shooting — of his freshman season, but it wasn’t enough as his supporting cast delivered only 36 points in the disappointing loss at Moda Center.

BYU fell behind by as many as 17 points in the second half before cutting the deficit to four in the final minutes, but could get no closer, and finished what was once a promising season with a 23-12 record and no Big Dance wins to show for it.

The Cougars lost 11 of their final 17 games after starting the season 17-1, the lone loss in that stretch to UConn.

Asked after the game in a somber BYU locker room if it was his last game in a BYU jersey, the 19-year-old said he didn’t know, repeating what he told the Deseret News three weeks ago in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Texas head coach Sean Miller calls out to his players during a first-round college basketball game against BYU in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU head coach Kevin Young looks to the floor as a play unfolds against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Texas guard Tramon Mark (12) celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer to end the first half during a first-round college basketball game against BYU in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU center Keba Keita (13) dunks the ball against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) talks with his teammates as they huddle during a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) lays the ball up past Texas forward Dailyn Swain (3) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) drives the ball toward the basket while guarded by Texas guard Tramon Mark (12) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) gestures to his teammates as he brings the ball up the court during a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU head coach Kevin Young calls out to his players during a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

The ball bobbles in the hands of BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) as he drives toward the basket between Texas guard Tramon Mark, left, and guard Jordan Pope, right, during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) defends Texas guard Jordan Pope (0) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU fans cheer after a play against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) reacts to a referee’s call during a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) goes up for a dunk against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU guard Richie Saunders looks to fans offering items for him to sign before a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) lays the ball up past Texas guard Jordan Pope (0) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Texas fans cheer at the end of the first half during a first-round college basketball game against BYU in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) goes up for a shot against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU guard Aleksej Kostić (6) lays the ball up while guarded by Texas forward Camden Heide (5) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) reacts to a referee’s call as he stands beside Texas forward Dailyn Swain (3) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) controls the ball while guarded by Texas forward Dailyn Swain (3) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) listens to head coach Kevin Young during a timeout in a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU center Keba Keita (13) guards Texas center Matas Vokietaitis (8) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) lays the ball up past Texas defenders during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) guards Texas guard Tramon Mark (12) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) drives the ball to the basket past Texas guard Tramon Mark (12) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) dunks the ball during a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

A BYU fan reacts after a play against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU fans react to a goaltending call during a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) calls out to his teammates as they get back on defense against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU center Keba Keita (13) fouls Texas center Matas Vokietaitis (8) on his shot after he made an offensive rebound during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) grimaces after being roughed up on a play against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) guards Texas forward Dailyn Swain (3) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) falls back after being fouled by Texas forward Dailyn Swain (3) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Texas forward Dailyn Swain (3) controls the ball while guarded by BYU guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

A shot from BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) is blocked by Texas guard Tramon Mark (12) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) takes a jump-shot during a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) looks to the scoreboard as he huddles with his teammates between the action against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) lays the ball up while guarded by Texas guard Chendall Weaver (2) and center Matas Vokietaitis (8) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) recovers a loose ball during a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Ben Bringhurst, of Provo, uses his phone as he waits before a first-round college basketball game between BYU and Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

A BYU fan sports an AJ Dybantsa jacket as he and others walk around before a first-round college basketball game between BYU and Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa warms up with assistant coach John Linehan before a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU fans walk by the Moda Center before a first-round college basketball game between BYU and Texas in the NCAA Tournament held in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa takes a jump-shot as he warms up before a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa huddles with coaches and players during warmups before a first-round college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

“I can’t answer that,” he said. “… I wish I could play on Saturday. That’s really what I’m thinking right now.”

Later, when asked how he plans to “attack” the next few weeks as he makes a decision on his future, Dybantsa said he has to talk to his family.

“My mom, ultimately,” he said. “She’s kind of the big boss. She kind of makes the decisions in life. My family, I mean, just talk to her, see what she says. Y’all will get an answer in the next couple of weeks.”

Will freshman AJ Dybantsa's biggest moment come in NCAAs?

What BYU expects from Texas in NCAA Tournament game

Highlights for Dybantsa on Thursday were a reverse, double-clutch dunk and 12 for 12 shooting at the free-throw line. He also grabbed 10 rebounds.

But the last three times he touched the ball, he missed a 3-point try, committed a turnover trying to feed Khadim Mboup in the low post and then missed another 3 in the final seconds.

“I just like how we persevered,” Dybantsa said. “That’s kind of been our identity all year. We are a second half team.

“Obviously the first half was just shaky with the rebounding, but I am happy we fought back. We could have folded and lost by 20.”

Dybantsa sparked the comeback with his only 3-pointer — BYU was 3 of 18 from deep after that make — and a couple of free throws that trimmed Texas’ lead to 70-64.

Down the stretch, however, BYU could never get that big bucket from Dybantsa, or anyone else, to make it a one-possession game.

Dybantsa was asked to describe his season at BYU if this was the end.

Deseret voices: Why AJ Dybantsa might delay going to the NBA

View Comments

“I love this place. I am happy I chose here. I definitely made the right decision. I knew coming in I made the right decision. Ever since my visit with the coaching staff, how just a family atmosphere (they have), talking to the academic advisor, everything about this place, I am just happy.

“As far as the season, it’s tough dealing with that type of adversity, but I would rather do it with nobody else.”

Asked if there were any positives from the way the latter half of the season went, Dybantsa said that the injuries to Dawson Baker and Richie Saunders in particular allowed other players to get more playing time and improve.

“Other guys got to step up in their roles,” he said.

Looking for comments?

Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.