AJ Dybantsa exposes unexpected Houston Rockets influence on his rise and it's interesting

AJ Dybantsa is widely projected as a leading candidate to be selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards. Dybantsa has recently drawn attention not only for his talent but also for the NBA connections with a Houston Rockets star he is already building ahead of his professional debut. 

The former BYU standout was asked prior to the draft about the current NBA players he shares close relationships with and whether he has received guidance from established stars. In response, Dybantsa mentioned Houston superstar Kevin Durant and Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown as key figures offering him advice and mentorship during his development.

"I'm super tight with [Kevin Durant], Jaylen Brown. They just try to give me advice on how they came up in being top high school recruits, top college recruits, and ended up being top picks,” Dybantsa said.

While Dybantsa did not go into detail about specific conversations with Durant, the connection between the two appears to go beyond casual mentorship. Durant, in many ways, represents a clear developmental model for the rising star. Reportedly, Dybantsa’s trainers and coaches frequently noted that his playing style mirrors the veteran forward’s skill set.

Over the course of his long NBA career, Durant has become a reference point for many young players entering the league, and Dybantsa is no exception. In fact, the future top draft prospect has openly expressed admiration for Durant. He recently named him as his favorite player during an appearance on the “All The Smoke” podcast.

Durant is still actively competing at an elite level with the Houston Rockets despite recent injury setbacks. Meanwhile, Dybantsa is preparing to make his long-awaited NBA debut. The mentor-mentee dynamic is set to evolve into something even more compelling. 

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