BYU star AJ Dybantsa gets Kevin Durant comparison from Kelvin Sampson
3 minute readPublished: Friday, March 13, 2026 at 5:25 am
BYU Freshman AJ Dybantsa Draws Kevin Durant Comparison from Houston Coach
Houston Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson has compared BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa to NBA superstar Kevin Durant following BYU's loss to Houston in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals. Dybantsa, a freshman, is considered one of the top freshmen in the country and is projected as a potential top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
In the game against Houston, Dybantsa played the entire game, finishing with 26 points, five rebounds, and two assists. He shot 7-of-18 from the field, including 3-of-5 from three-point range, and 9-of-10 from the free-throw line.
Sampson, reflecting on Houston's victory, praised Dybantsa's performance, highlighting his unique combination of length and shooting ability. Sampson stated that Dybantsa reminded him of Durant, calling him a "poor man's" version at this stage of his career.
BYU's loss brought their overall record to 23-11, with a 9-9 record in Big 12 games. They entered the conference tournament as the seventh seed, advancing to the quarterfinals. The team now awaits Selection Sunday on March 15th, where they will learn if they have secured an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament or will receive an invitation to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT).
BNN's Perspective:
The comparison to Kevin Durant is a significant endorsement for Dybantsa, highlighting his potential. While it's important to temper expectations, the praise from a respected coach like Sampson suggests Dybantsa has a bright future. BYU's performance this season, and Dybantsa's individual contributions, have positioned them well for postseason consideration. Regardless of the outcome, Dybantsa's emergence is a positive development for college basketball.
Keywords: AJ Dybantsa, BYU, Kevin Durant, Kelvin Sampson, Houston Cougars, Big 12 Tournament, College Basketball, NBA Draft, Freshman, NCAA Tournament, NIT, Basketball