BYU's AJ Dybantsa was named the 2025-26 Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year on Thursday morning, becoming the first Cougar in program history to receive the prestigious award. The announcement, released by the Big 12 Conference, follows the 6-foot-9 forward's selection as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards.
Historic Conference Honors
The selection of Dybantsa marks a historic milestone for both the athlete and the Big 12, as it is the first time in the history of the award that both the male and female Athletes of the Year are basketball players. Joining Dybantsa as a recipient is TCU's Olivia Miles, who was named the Big 12 Female Athlete of the Year. According to the Big 12 Conference, the winners were selected by a 16-member media panel, with each of the 16 full-member institutions represented by one voter.
Statistical Dominance
Dybantsa's award follows a dominant freshman campaign in which he led the nation in scoring. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 51.0 percent from the field, 33.1 percent from three, and 77.4 percent from the free throw line. He finished the season with 894 total points, marking the third-most points scored by a freshman in NCAA Division I men's basketball history.
Collegiate Accolades
In addition to his scoring prowess, Dybantsa achieved several rare milestones during the 2025-26 season. He became one of only two players in Big 12 history to record a 30/10/10 triple-double, a feat he accomplished during a victory over Eastern Washington. He also earned several other conference honors, including being named the Big 12 Men's Basketball Freshman of the Year and receiving All-Big 12 First Team honors. His collegiate accolades also included consensus First Team All-American recognition from several organizations, including the AP, CBS Sports, Sporting News, USBWA, NABC, and the Wooden Award.
Recruitment Journey
Dybantsa's ascent to the top of the basketball world began during his recruitment process. As KSL Sports first reported in December 2024, the top-ranked recruit in the nation committed to BYU over a final four of programs that included Alabama, Kansas, and North Carolina. Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 wing from Brockton, Massachusetts, had been playing his final high school season at Utah Prep in Hurricane when he announced his commitment to BYU on ESPN's "First Take."
A New Era for BYU
The recruitment of Dybantsa was a major victory for BYU head coach Kevin Young, who took over the program in April 2024. Dybantsa was the second five-star prospect Young has landed since his arrival, joining freshman guard Egor Demin. Prior to Young's tenure, BYU had not signed any five-star prospects in the internet era. Dybantsa, who was initially part of the class of 2026 before reclassifying in the fall of 2023, was the only player in the class of 2025 to hold a perfect 1.0000 247Sports Composite rating.
NBA Draft Impact
The Washington Wizards' selection of Dybantsa as the No. 1 overall pick in June 2026 makes him the fourth Big 12 player to be taken first overall in the NBA Draft. He joins a list of previous conference top picks that includes Oklahoma State's Cade Cunningham, Kansas' Andrew Wiggins, and Oklahoma's Blake Griffin. Dybantsa's selection also represents BYU's first-ever No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft.
Female Athlete Recognition
While Dybantsa prepares for his professional career, the Big 12 also celebrated the achievements of Olivia Miles. Miles was named the Big 12 Women's Basketball Player and Newcomer of the Year, earning unanimous All-Big 12 First Team and consensus All-America recognition. She was also awarded the 2026 Bob Bowlsby Award for leadership and achievement. Miles, who led TCU to the Elite Eight, was selected No. 2 overall in the WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx and has already become the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 350 points and 100 assists.
