BYU basketball: AJ Dybantsa named Big 12 Athlete of the Year

Key Points:

• AJ Dybantsa, former BYU star and No. 1 overall NBA draft pick, has been named the Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year, marking the first time a BYU athlete has received this honor since joining the conference in 2023.
• The award was decided by a 16-member media panel from nominees submitted by each Big 12 school, with Dybantsa selected over notable athletes including Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson and NFL draft pick Spencer Fano.
• In his single season at BYU, Dybantsa led the nation in scoring with 25.5 points per game, shooting 51% from the field, and averaged 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists, earning Big 12 Freshman of the Year and consensus First Team All-American honors.
• Dybantsa joins BYU legends Danny Ainge and Jimmer Fredette as the only players from the school to be named consensus First Team All-Americans.
• After being drafted first overall by the Washington Wizards in June, Dybantsa averaged 25 points and 7 rebounds in Summer League play and is considered a potential franchise cornerstone.