The Big 12 is currently at the center of a high-stakes "will-they-or-won't-they" drama involving the two most lethal freshmen in the country: AJ Dybantsa (BYU) and Darryn Peterson (Kansas). As we sit in mid-April 2026, the prospect of both returning to school instead of declaring for the NBA Draft would be a tectonic shift for college basketball.

 

 

The Dybantsa Factor

At BYU, Dybantsa didn't just meet the hype; he shattered it. Finishing the 2025–26 season as the NCAA scoring champion (averaging over 25 points per game), he has solidified himself as the projected No. 1 overall pick.

 

 

The "Return" Reality: While Dybantsa is "most assuredly" heading to the draft, the Big 12 is holding out hope for an NIL miracle. His initial $7 million deal with BYU was record-breaking; to keep him for a sophomore year, the Cougars' "Royal Blue" collective would likely need to enter the $10–12 million range to compete with a top-three NBA rookie contract.

The Peterson Equation

Kansas’ Darryn Peterson is the wildcard. While his "highs" were arguably the best in the nation—including a 26-point masterclass against Baylor—his season was marred by hamstring and ankle injuries.

 

 

The Case for Kansas: Peterson’s durability concerns have some NBA scouts leaning toward Dybantsa for the top pick. If Peterson feels he hasn't fully proven his "availability," a return to Lawrence to play a healthy season under Bill Self could secure his spot as the undisputed No. 1 in 2027.

The Big 12 Impact

If the conference retains even one of these stars, it cements the Big 12 as the undisputed "NBA Academy" of college sports. With Arizona and Houston already providing elite competition, keeping the two best individual scorers in the game would make the Big 12 a nightly must-watch for every GM in professional basketball.

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