NBA Comparison: Tracy McGrady / Scottie Pippen

Strengths: Dybantsa is a physical marvel with a rare blend of size, athleticism, and skill that immediately stands out at the highest levels of basketball … At 6’9” with a strong, well-built frame and elite fluidity, he operates like a point forward, showing advanced ball handling and passing ability uncommon for a player with his physical profile … Capable of initiating offense, pushing in transition, and making reads on the move, he brings real versatility as a primary creator … His ability to slow the game down off the dribble, in a manner reminiscent of Tracy McGrady, and take what the defense gives him while finding cutters and operating within the flow is particularly advanced and intriguing … His quick twitch explosiveness and ability to change directions allow him to break down defenders, while his strength lets him overpower smaller matchups and finish through contact … Highly productive scorer, leading the nation with 25.5 PPG on 51.0% shooting, showing the ability to score at all three levels … Particularly dangerous in face-up situations, where he can attack downhill, get to his spots in the mid-range, or create space for pull-ups … Three-point shooting showed encouraging growth over the course of the season, climbing to a respectable 33.1% on solid volume (1.4–4.2), indicating real long-term upside as a perimeter threat … Strong rebounder for his position (6.8 RPG) and a capable secondary playmaker (3.7 APG), adding to his all-around impact … Defensively, while not yet a consistent strength, he possesses tremendous upside due to his physical tools, length, and competitive nature … His body has already added strength, but he still has significant room to continue developing physically, which should allow him to better handle physical matchups and guard multiple positions at a high level …

Weaknesses: While highly productive offensively, his perimeter shooting is not yet elite and remains a key swing skill … Shot mechanics can flatten at times, leading to inconsistent arc and streaky results from three (33.1%), and improving both consistency and volume will be important in unlocking his full scoring ceiling … Mid-range game is solid but not yet elite in terms of shot-making versatility compared to top-tier scoring wings … Defensive consistency lags behind his offensive production, as he does not always play with the same level of focus, urgency, or discipline on that end … Can play too upright defensively, impacting his ability to contain quicker players and react in space … At times gets beaten off the dribble more than expected given his physical tools, highlighting the need for improved stance, anticipation, and engagement … Help defense and awareness remain works in progress, as he does not always make consistent rotations or impact plays off the ball … Turnovers (3.1 per game) reflect his high usage and developing decision-making, particularly when forced into tighter windows against set defenses …

Outlook: Dybantsa projects as the clear frontrunner to be the No. 1 overall pick and a franchise cornerstone with the ability to become the focal point of an NBA offense early in his career … His combination of size, shot creation, and playmaking gives him true superstar upside, with shades of Tracy McGrady as a scorer and Scottie Pippen in his versatility and ability to impact the game across multiple areas … There are also similarities to Cooper Flagg in terms of positional versatility, feel for the game, and long-term upside as a point forward who can influence every phase … Viewed as both one of the safest and highest-upside prospects in the class … If his perimeter shooting consistency and defensive engagement continue to improve, he has legitimate All-NBA and perennial All-Star potential …

Notes: Born January 29, 2007 … 6’9” forward from Brockton, Massachusetts … Played one season at BYU after preps at Utah Prep … Consensus No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class … Appeared in and started all 35 games as a true freshman … Led the nation in scoring with 25.5 PPG, totaling 894 points (third-most ever by a Division I freshman) … 2025–26 Stats: 35 GP, 34.8 MPG, 25.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 51.0% FG, 33.1% 3PT, 77.4% FT … Consensus First Team All-American and Big 12 Freshman of the Year (2026) … Julius Erving Award winner and multiple National Player of the Week honors … Set numerous BYU freshman records, including a 43-point performance vs. Utah … One of two players in Big 12 history to record a 30/10/10 triple-double … Extensive USA Basketball résumé, including MVP of the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup and multiple gold medals … Youngest participant at the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit and a standout in multiple international events … Son of Chelsea and Ace Dybantsa … Has Jamaican roots and a strong track record of community involvement …

Aran Smith 4/18/26

Strengths: 6’9 two-way wing … Great size for a wing with a 6’11 wingspan and 8’10 standing reach … High-level athlete with incredible fluidity in his upper and lower body. Throws down dunks and tip-slams you don’t see too often at this level. Attacks the basket with aggression. Quick off the ground with an impressive second jump. Jumps well off either foot or both feet and finds dunk opportunities in the half-court with good body control and hang time that the defense has trouble contesting. Quick with the ball, including first step and effective jab step. Has been the quickest player on the court at times throughout high school, despite standing at 6’9. Long strides and covers a lot of ground taking it to the basket … Despite his superior athleticism, he isn’t reliant on it, with his advanced offensive game. High-level and efficient scorer. Hits contested layups with either hand. Can score in the post and shows good footwork. Scores from midrange and stops quickly with an effective pull-up/step-back. He’s a threat from anywhere on the floor. Good elevation and has improved his ability to hit contested shots from midrange. Scoring averages: 18.5 PPG 52.7% FG% Nike EYBL 2023, event best 28.3 PPG 61.4% FG% NBPA Top 100 2023, 13.7 PPG 61.7% FG% U16 Americas Championship 2023, 14.1 PPG 58.7% FG% U17 World Cup 2024, 14.3 PPG 50% FG% U19 World Cup 2025 … Great at drawing fouls and reliable free throw shooter. FT shooting: 89.3% FT%, 4.7 FTA Nike EYBL 2023, 81.5% FT% 4.5 FTA NBPA Top 100 2023, 84.5 FT% 3^rd best 7.1 FTA U19 World Cup 2025 … Heavily impacts the game outside of scoring … Solid rebounder for position. Averaged 5.3 rebounds per game over the Nike EYBL in 2023 and 6.5 (2.2 offensive) rebounds per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2023 … Very good ball-handler and creates space off the bounce without over-dribbling. Can create a shot nearly at will. Effective jab step and quick crossover, stays low and good burst with the ball. Can be shifty with a lot of wiggle with his dribble. Changes his speed well with the ball. Gets to the rim off the dribble in the half-court and isn’t reliant on triple threat. Operates well in tight spaces … Natural IQ. Can dissect the game, facilitating well in the half-court as well as transition. Sees the floor well, doesn’t have tunnel vision and knows his options as a passer. Reads and reacts with good instincts and doesn’t predetermine his decisions with the ball. Passes well out of drives and mid-attack with either hand. Keeps turnovers low, especially for his usage. Assist/turnover: 3.9 APG/1.4 TOPG Nike EYBL 2023, 3^rd best 3.8 APG/1.2 TOPG U16 Americas Championship 2023, 4.1 APG/2 TOPG U17 World Cup 2024, 2.3 APG/1.3 TOPG U19 World Cup 2025 … Very good defender on and off the ball showing consistent commitment and intensity on that end of the floor. Picks up full court defensively all game long. Quick and covers a lot of space. Steals stats: 2 SPG U16 Americas Championship 2023, 1.6 SPG U17 World Cup 2024, 1.1 SPG U19 World Cup 2025 … Mature approach. Vocal leader. Alpha demeanor and highly confident … Consistent high motor and tenacity, always playing with his best effort on both ends, never taking plays off or going through the motions, which you don’t see too often from a player of his caliber … High floor and very high ceiling …

Weaknesses: While he’s very capable of scoring from beyond the 3PT line, perimeter shooting is his biggest area of improvement. Despite smooth mechanics, he can improve consistency. 3PT shooting: 32.7% 3PT% 4.6 3PTA Nike EYBL 2023, 27.3% 3PT% 1.8 3PTA U16 Americas Championship 2023, 31.8% 3PT% 3.1 3PTA U17 World Cup 2024, 11.1% 3PT% (2-18) 2.6 3PTA U19 World Cup 2025 … While he’s great at drawing fouls, he tends to flop a lot, ending up on the ground looking for a foul call, rather than the simple and strong finish – both on jump shots and drives. He’s capable of utilizing his size and adept at hitting tough shots, he would benefit going up strong to finish …

Outlook: BYU freshman … Transferred to Prolific Prep for his junior year and Utah Prep for his senior year … 2023 Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year … Won Gold at the U16 Americas Championship in 2023 and U17 World Cup in 2024 … Named to the All-Tournament 1^st Team at the U17 World Cup in 2024 … 2024 and 2025 Naismith High School All-American 1^st Team … Finished with 21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit. Recorded 24 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals at the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit … Recorded 17 points (7-12 FG) and 5 rebounds at the 2025 McDonald’s All-American … Recorded 25 points (10-19 FG, 3-4 FT) and 9 rebounds at the 2025 Jordan Brand Classic … Won Gold and was named MVP and All-Tournament 1^st Team at the U19 World Cup in 2025…

Evan Tomes 8/1/25

Strengths: 6’9 two-way wing … Great size for a wing with a 6’11 wingspan and 8’10 standing reach … High-level athlete with incredible fluidity in his upper and lower body. Throws down dunks and tip-slams you don’t see too often at this level. Attacks the basket with aggression. Quick off the ground with an impressive second jump. Jumps well off either foot or both feet and finds dunk opportunities in the half-court that the defense has trouble contesting. Quick with the ball, including first step and effective jab step. Long strides and covers a lot of ground taking it to the basket … Despite his superior athleticism, he isn’t reliant on it, with his advanced offensive game. High-level and efficient scorer. Hits contested layups with either hand. Can score in the post and shows good footwork. Scores from midrange, stops quickly with an effective pull-up and a threat from anywhere on the floor. Scoring averages: 18.5 PPG 52.7% FG% Nike EYBL 2023, event best 28.3 PPG 61.4% FG% NBPA Top 100 2023, 13.7 PPG 61.7% FG% U16 Americas Championship 2023, 14.1 PPG 58.7% FG% U17 World Cup 2024 … Great at drawing fouls and reliable free throw shooter. Shot 89.3% FT% on 4.7 free throw attempts per game over the Nike EYBL in 2023 and 81.5% FT% on 4.5 free throw attempts per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2023 … Heavily impacts the game outside of scoring … Solid rebounder for position. Averaged 5.3 rebounds per game over the Nike EYBL in 2023 and 6.5 (2.2 offensive) rebounds per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2023 … Very good ball-handler and creates space off the bounce without over-dribbling. Can create a shot nearly at will. Good crossover and can be shifty with a lot of wiggle with his dribble. Changes his speed well with the ball. Gets to the rim off the dribble in the half-court and isn’t reliant on triple threat. Operates well in tight spaces … Natural IQ. Can dissect the game, facilitating well in the half-court as well as transition. Sees the floor well, doesn’t have tunnel vision and knows his options as a passer. Reads and reacts with good instincts and doesn’t predetermine his decisions with the ball. Passes well out of drives and mid-attack with either hand. Keeps turnovers low, especially for his usage. Assist/turnover: 3.9 APG/1.4 TOPG Nike EYBL 2023, 3^rd best 3.8 APG/1.2 TOPG U16 Americas Championship 2023, 4.1 APG/2 TOPG U17 World Cup 2024 … Very good defender on and off the ball showing consistent commitment and intensity on that end of the floor. Picks up full court defensively all game long. Quick and covers a lot of space. Averaged 2 steals per game at the U16 Americas Championship in 2023 and 1.6 steals per game at the U17 World Cup in 2024 … Mature approach. Vocal leader. Alpha demeanor and highly confident … Consistent high motor and tenacity, always playing with his best effort on both ends, never taking plays off or going through the motions. Which you don’t see too often from a player of his caliber … High floor and very high ceiling …

Weaknesses: Good frame but has room to get stronger and fill out … While he’s very capable of scoring from beyond the 3PT line, perimeter shooting is his biggest area of improvement. Despite smooth mechanics, he can improve consistency, and his arc can be inconsistent. 3PT shooting: 32.7% 3PT% 4.6 3PTA Nike EYBL 2023, 27.3% 3PT% 1.8 3PTA U16 Americas Championship 2023, 31.8% 3PT% 3.1 3PTA U17 World Cup 2024 … While he’s great at drawing fouls, he can flop a bit, ending up on the ground looking for a foul call, rather than the simple and strong finish – both on jump shots and drives …

Outlook: Transferred to Prolific Prep for his junior year and Utah Prep for his senior year … 2023 Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year … Won Gold at the U16 Americas Championship in 2023 and U17 World Cup in 2024 … Named to the All-Tournament 1^st Team at the U17 World Cup in 2024 … 2024 Naismith High School All-American 1^st Team … Finished with 21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit …

Evan Tomes 11/10/24

Notes: Measured: 6’9″, 8’10″ standing reach, 201 lbs, 6’11″ wingspan at the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit …