Credit: Jason Snow / The Enterprise / USA TODAY NETWORK
AJ Dybantsa Wants To Play For Magic Or Spurs; Compares His Game To Tracy McGrady And Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
AJ Dybantsa is widely regarded as the No. 1 player in the Class of 2025 and announced his commitment to BYU on Tuesday's episode of First Take. During his appearance on the show, Dybantsa was asked if there is an NBA system tailor-made for him and he chose the San Antonio Spurs and the Orlando Magic as teams he'd like to go to.
"Spurs and Magic," Dybantsa said. "... How do you think me and Wemby (Victor Wembanyama) would play? ... Me and Paolo (Banchero) just go crazy together."
Those would be great landing spots for a 6'9" wing like Dybantsa. The problem, though, is that neither team is going to be in a position to draft him. He is projected to be the top pick of the 2026 NBA Draft and it's highly unlikely that the Spurs or the Magic would be picking that high.
The Magic currently have a 17-10 record in the 2024-25 season and are third in the East. That's despite Paolo Banchero playing just five games due to injury which tells you how good of a team that is.
The Spurs, meanwhile, currently have a 12-12 record. There are a fair few talented youngsters on that roster, with Victor Wembanyama being the headline act, and they should keep getting better over the next year or so.
If I had to pick the likeliest landing spots for Dybantsa, who has starred at Utah Prep, it would be teams like the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, or Portland Trail Blazers. He'd probably do well for them too, but if he goes to any of those teams, it'll be a while before he enjoys some team success.
As for what whichever team drafts Dybantsa will get, it's quite an intriguing all-around prospect. The 17-year-old scores at a high level and has great defensive instincts as well.
Dybantsa averaged 22.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game at the 2024 Nike EYBL. He was efficient too, shooting 51.9% from the field and 36.7% from beyond the arc.
Kevin Durant is the player Dybantsa looks up to the most and while those numbers might make you think he plays like the Phoenix Suns superstar too (except for the blocks) that's not the case. The teenager made it clear on First Take that he doesn't play like Durant because he is one of a kind.
"KD my favorite player, I take a lot from his game but I don't think I play like him," Dybantsa said. "I think he really one of one... I play like a mix of Tracy McGrady and Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander)."
Dybantsa added that he sees himself as a point forward. While he is a good playmaker, I think he'll need to get even better at it to play that role in the NBA. For now, though, Dybantsa isn't thinking too much about the NBA. He wants to do his best at Utah Prep and then lead BYU to the national title.
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