AJ Dybantsa Keeps it Real on Playing Alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Despite Similar Roles

AJ Dybantsa revealed his thoughts on playing alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on Friday's episode of "Garden Report". The show's host, Bobby Manning, asked the BYU Cougars forward to describe his thoughts on playing alongside Tatum and Brown if the Celtics were able to draft him in the 2026 draft.

The Cougars forward gave a brief yet detailed explanation of the role he saw himself playing on the Celtics roster.

"If the basketball god ever made that work out, I think that we all kind of played the same positions,” Dybansta said. “I think we can each play the guard or the wing. I think their games complement each other, Tatum and Brown, and I think I am pretty adaptable and pretty flexible. I think it wouldn’t hurt anybody’s game, I think it would only enhance it."

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AJ Dybantsa is one of the best players from the 2026 draft class. He is projected to be a top-five pick in next year's draft, as the Cougars forward has been crushing it on the court. He is averaging 18.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game on 57.6% shooting from the field and 28.6% shooting from deep.

The Celtics appear to be taking a break from their championship aspirations, as they let go of most players from their 2023-24 championship squad during the offseason. Jayson Tatum is ruled out for the entire season with an Achilles injury. At the same time, Jaylen Brown has taken over the responsibility of carrying the team after coming back from an injury earlier than his teammate.

However, despite Brown's best efforts, the Celtics are the 11th team in the standings with a 6-7 record.

AJ Dybantsa gives his take on the fans asking the Celtics to tank for the Cougars forward

Earlier in the interview, Manning asked AJ Dybantsa if he saw a faction of Celtics fans asking the team to tank this season to improve their chances of drafting the Cougars forward. Dybantsa said that he has been online on X and has seen posts of that nature, as he often gets tagged in them.

In a follow-up question, Manning asked the Cougar forward to explain what went through his mind while reading those posts.

"It’s two things. One, that my hometown acknowledges me and they see my talent and obviously they want me to play and represent my hometown, which is a plus, but at the end of the day, it’s not my choice, the lottery does what it does," Dybantsa said. (Timestamp: 9:33) "The NBA does what it does. It’s not my choice to play for whatever team, so I’m just gonna be grateful for whoever drafts me, whenever that is, and I’m just gonna make the most out of every opportunity if that’s Boston or if it’s not."

AJ Dybantsa will be in action at the TD Garden on Saturday as the Cougars take on the UConn Huskies in a regular-season game.

Edited by Avi Shravan