BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa, the nation's top college basketball prospect, delivered a historic 35-point, 10-rebound performance in Thursday's NCAA Tournament loss to Texas, cementing his status as a potential top-2 overall NBA Draft pick. The 7-foot forward dominated the first half, scoring 20 points before Texas coach Sean Miller admitted, "I don't think we can" slow him down. Despite the 79-71 defeat, Dybantsa's dominance - including a perfect 12-12 free-throw record - showcased his NBA-ready skill set.

Dybantsa plans to announce his professional future within the "next couple of weeks," prioritizing family discussions led by his mother. ESPN's Jeremy Woo projects him as the No. 2 pick, trailing only UCLA's Anthony Edwards in draft projections. His season averages of 25.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game already rank second in BYU history, with 28 20-point games tying for the program record.

The Cougars' season ended with Dybantsa's record-breaking performance, but his decision will shape both his legacy and BYU's basketball trajectory. Coach Kevin Young praised the phenom's NBA potential, noting, "There were moments in tonight's game that he looked like an NBA player." With the draft approaching in June, Dybantsa's choice between bypassing college for the pros or returning for another season could redefine mid-major basketball's national profile.