AJ Dybantsa finally addresses viral moment during NBA Draft lottery

The NBA Draft lottery witnessed a straight-faced look from AJ Dybantsa once the order got complete. Some fans wondered if the BYU basketball star looked unenthusiastic about possibly joining the Washington Wizards. Except Dybantsa finally addressed that viral moment with NBA TV at the sight of the combine Thursday. That look was on purpose, Dybantsa said. “You’re trained not to react. I just kept a straight face, kept the poker face,” Dybantsa said. The projected top pick added that the 2025 first pick Cooper Flagg pulled off a similar look when he learned who was picking first. Flagg has since sparked NBA Rookie of the Year chatter after wrapping up his first season with the Dallas Mavericks. Dybantsa, meanwhile, enters the 2026 class as the prospect facing the highest chances of going first. Although the order could still change. The Utah Jazz rose as one possible trade up contender for Dybantsa, with owner Ryan Smith admitting he’d consider moving to No. 1. “We are trying to win a championship. So everything should be on the table. Austin and Danny (Ainge) have also been known to do some pretty crazy stuff on draft night,” Smith said in a conversation with The Deseret News. Dybantsa overhears one more big rumor ahead of the June 23 draft night: If he won’t be the top pick. Kansas star Darryn Peterson is a trending contender for No. 1 overall. He’s already out-played the BYU star during the regular season in Big 12 play. Even Duke star forward Cameron Boozer presents his own case to go first. But Dybantsa continues to trend up ahead of draft night.