
Phoenix Suns stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker recently shared high praise for high school basketball sensation AJ Dybantsa. The 6-foot-9 wing, widely projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, has impressed the NBA veterans with his skill set, maturity, and potential.
Durant met Dybantsa before a game against the Utah Jazz on Dec. 13, shortly before his return from an ankle injury. Reflecting on their interaction, Durant told Marc J. Spears of Andscape, “I love him. I was impressed by his size, fluidity, and ballhandling. He has the body type to become a pro in this league for 20 years. It’s good to be around him. He has a lot of energy, too.”
Durant first encountered Dybantsa during summer workouts two years ago and has been following his development closely. He highlighted the young player’s jump shot, work ethic, and advanced understanding of the game as standout traits.
Booker, who also spoke with Dybantsa during the visit, echoed similar sentiments. “You can already tell the maturity level,” Booker told Andscape. “The competitive nature comes through in the conversation. You can just tell when someone is more advanced than their age.”
Dybantsa, who currently plays for Utah Prep, has garnered significant attention both for his on-court dominance and his off-court decision-making. On Dec. 10, he announced his surprising commitment to BYU during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take. The decision shocked many in the basketball world, as he turned down offers from top programs such as Kansas, North Carolina, and Alabama.