Future top choice AJ Dybantsa discusses his NBA draft choice following his departure from March Madness

AJ Divantha’s College Career Uncertain After Loss

AJ Divantha’s time in college basketball seems to be wrapping up.

Following No. 6 seed BYU’s significant defeat against No. 11 Texas, Divantha addressed reporters about his future. He expressed a desire to discuss his career choices with his family, particularly his mother, Chelsea, and indicated that a decision could come in the next few weeks.

“She’s a great person, you know,” Divantha mentioned, referring to his mother. “Let’s hear what she thinks.”

His statements came on the heels of earlier comments where he hinted that he might consider staying in college.

“People can speculate. I don’t have much to say right now,” Divantha noted during an appearance on the podcast “Deseret Voices.”

It seems likely that Divantha will declare for the 2026 NBA Draft. ESPN currently lists him as the No. 2 pick, while other sources like Sports Illustrated and Bleacher Report predict he might even snag the top spot.

Initially, there was speculation that Kansas’ Darin Peterson would be the top choice, but injuries and other commitments have reshaped the outlook. Divantha, along with Duke’s Cameron Boozer, are now strong contenders.

His performance against Texas was impressive, as he managed to score 35 points and grab 10 rebounds, marking his second double-double of the season.

During the game, Divantha accounted for 14 of BYU’s first 25 points, prompting Texas head coach Sean Miller to acknowledge they struggled to contain him.

This moment was historic; it was the first time a freshman scored 35 points in a March Madness debut.

Interestingly, despite coach Miller’s attempts to limit Divantha’s free throws, he went a perfect 12-of-12 from the line. “We tried different strategies, but he still had 35 points,” Miller remarked.

Unfortunately for BYU, no other player stepped up, with Divantha being the sole athlete to reach at least 14 points and five rebounds in the 79-71 loss.

The Longhorns dominated the boards, finishing with 40 rebounds to BYU’s 31, and four of their starters contributed with double-digit scores.

Divantha’s freshman season was noteworthy, as he averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, shooting 51 percent from the field. He hit 20 or more points in 28 games, making him a standout in both BYU and Big 12 history.

BYU head coach Kevin Young reflected on Divantha’s contributions, saying, “In 20 years, we’ll be so glad to have been part of his story. There were moments tonight where he looked like an NBA player.”