Copyright MassLive
AJ Dybantsa isn’t sure how many friends and family members will be at TD Garden on Saturday. “It’s too many people,” the Brockton native said Wednesday, though he’s guaranteed to get a ton of support as the local kid. Dybantsa, a projected top-3 pick for the 2026 NBA Draft, is back home as his No. 7-ranked BYU team faces No. 3 UConn for the Hall of Fame series in Boston. Ahead of the game, Dybantsa talked about his Celtics memories growing up as a fan of the team. He posted on social media his support for the C’s ahead of opening night. “I think my first NBA jersey ever was Kevin Garnett,” Dybantsa said. “I remember that team. I was born in ‘07. I think they won in ‘08. I just remember watching like Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett. I remember Rajon Rondo. I remember Isaiah Thomas. And now guys like Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Payton Pritchard.” Dybantsa has been out West for a few years for his prep career, including with Utah Prep this past season. Now, he’s a star freshman with the Cougars and already turning heads with his impressive highlights. Dybantsa has averaged 18.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists in three games, showcasing his athleticism and why he’s considered a can’t-miss prospect. His next challenge is UConn, one of the best teams in the nation. Both squads come into the game at 3-0 as it’s still early in the college season. But it’s a massive stage for Dybantsa. The spotlight will follow him throughout his freshman season because he’s so talented. Dybantsa is one of three players who could end up as the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft. Kansas guard Darryn Peterson and Duke forward Cameron Boozer are the other two prospects. All three players are expected to excel in the NBA as there’s a lot of anticipation for the 2026 draft. For now, Dybantsa is living life as a freshman at BYU. He didn’t have specific plans to show his teammates around Boston, though he might take them out for food. Otherwise, Dybantsa was all business even though he gets to come back home. “It should be fun,” Dybantsa said. “I played at TD I think three or four years ago when I was at St. Sebastian. So I’m undefeated there. I’m just looking forward to playing in front of people who haven’t seen me play in a long time due to me being on the West Coast.”
