Nike has upgraded its relationship with top NBA draft prospect AJ Dybantsa, turning the 6-foot-9 forward’s collegiate NIL agreement from January 2024 into a professional endorsement contract, Dybantsa told ESPN on Monday in Los Angeles.
“It means everything,” the Boston native said. “They’ve been with me since Day 1. It’s been a great partnership and we’re looking forward to keep building for the long term.”
Dybantsa declared for the 2026 draft after a standout freshman season at Brigham Young University. He led the nation with 25.5 points per game on 51% shooting and added 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals. Ranked No. 1 in his class since ninth grade, he said being the first overall pick in June “is definitely a goal of mine.”
Preparing for the draft in Los Angeles, Dybantsa has worked out alongside former Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas and trainer Zack Gonzales, whose NBA clientele includes Celtics guard Payton Pritchard. He attended Game 2 of the Los Angeles Lakers–Houston Rockets first-round series to observe playoff intensity firsthand, calling it “a very physical game.”
At BYU, director of strength and conditioning Michael Davie, a former Milwaukee Bucks staffer, compared the freshman’s athletic metrics with NBA players such as Jrue Holiday and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Head coach Kevin Young, a longtime NBA assistant, featured Dybantsa in isolation sets, pick-and-rolls and early-clock actions to mirror pro schemes.
With the NBA draft combine in Chicago next month, the forward—who shot 33.1% from three in college—is adjusting to the deeper pro arc. “I think I have pretty good mechanics,” he said. “It’s just getting used to the line and shooting smarter shots.”
Nike has designed a personal logo for Dybantsa: a star formed by the letters A and J, nodding to his childhood nickname “Star Boy.” He intends to launch charitable initiatives in his new NBA city, inspired by his father’s philanthropy in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.
The 210-pound prospect also set an early NBA goal. “There are so many greats that have won Rookie of the Year,” he said. “I definitely want to win it.”
Source: ESPN
