Why AJ Dybantsa is wearing pin in memory of Terrence Clarke at 2026 NBA Draft

Before he took the stage as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, AJ Dybantsa wore a "TC5" pin on the lapel of his jacket. This special tribute was an effort to honor the late Terrence Clarke.

The former BYU Cougar and newest member of the Washington Wizards grew up in the larger Boston area and served as an older mentor for the younger Dybantsa. The hard work and efforts clearly paid off, with Dybantsa being the first name called on Tuesday night at the Barclays Center.

Here's why the lottery pick is wearing a special pin to honor Clarke.

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What is AJ Dybantsa's pin?

Viewers noticed a TC5 pin on the right lapel of Dybantsa's jacket that he is wearing at tonight's NBA Draft. The pin honors the late Terrence Clarke, who passed away in a car accident in April 2021 and grew up mentoring Dybantsa on and off the court.

Here is a photo of Dybantsa's TC5 pin:

AJ Dybantsa is wearing a TC5 pin in honor of the late Terrence Clarke at the NBA Draft ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6HJ8CzpGpy

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AJ Dybantsa-Terrence Clarke connection

Dybantsa and Clarke were incredibly close during their basketball days in the Boston area. Both players grew up playing with each other.

“He was like my big brother. You could say that we were cousins — we weren’t related, but basically cousins,” Dybantsa said, according to On3. “I was ‘little brother’ every time he came back (to the area). … I’ve known him since I got to Expressions, so the fourth grade. I didn’t know Expressions (before him). If you knew him, you probably knew Expressions. He was a star.”

Despite going to separate colleges on the opposite sides of the country, Dybantsa attributes everything he does on the court to his late friend.

“That was my idol,” he said. “Ever since he passed away, I do the basketball stuff for him. Everything is for him. I’m just trying to carry his legacy.”

Where is AJ Dybantsa from?

Dybantsa is from Brockton, Mass., according to his LinkedIn page. Hewas born on January 29, 2007, in Boston, and originally attended Saint Sebastian's School in Needham.

Brockton is just under 25 miles away from downtown Boston, so it is referred to as part of the broader Boston area.

Where is Terrence Clarke from?

Clarke was born on September 6, 2001, in Boston, Mass. Clarke was older than Dybantsa, so he served as an older mentor to the No. 1 pick of the 2026 draft.

Clarke originally attended the Rivers School in Weston, Mass., which is 15 miles east of Boston and in the larger area of the city.