AJ Dybantsa honored as Big 12 Athlete of the Year - Deseret News

What the report says

Deseret News reported that former BYU basketball forward AJ Dybantsa has been named the Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year, a conference honor announced Thursday, July 23, 2026. The recognition marks the first time a BYU athlete in any sport has won the Big 12’s Athlete of the Year award since the school entered the conference in 2023.

According to the report, Dybantsa was selected through a process in which each Big 12 member school submitted one male and one female nominee, with a 16-person media panel choosing the winners. TCU women’s basketball player Olivia Miles, described by Deseret News as a consensus All-American and Big 12 Player of the Year, received the corresponding women’s honor.

Dybantsa’s award follows a standout freshman season in Provo. Deseret News reported that he led the country in scoring at 25.5 points per game, made 51% of his shots, and also averaged 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year and became a consensus First Team All-American, joining Danny Ainge and Jimmer Fredette as BYU players to earn that distinction.

The recognition comes after Dybantsa was selected No. 1 overall by the Washington Wizards in the June NBA draft. Deseret News noted that he averaged 25.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in two Summer League games and is being viewed in Washington as a potential cornerstone player. The Big 12 honor underscores both his brief impact at BYU and his transition into the professional ranks.