AJ Dybantsa is the No. 1 player in On3's initial 2026 rankings

On3 released its first 2026 class ranking today, with 50 names on the list. Napa (CA) Prolific Prep wing AJ Dybansta is the No. 1 player in the initial ranking.

This conversation was quick. While there are two players, Dybantsa and Tyran Stokes, who are in a clear tier at the top of this class, it is Dybantsa who has separated himself as the evident player atop the list. There are projected to be no less than six updates between now and when the 2026 class graduates.

Dybantsa and Stokes are the two five-star players in the initial 2026 On3 ranking. Let’s discuss why Dybantsa is on top. 

Dybantsa’s scoring bag is deep

My first time watching AJ Dybantsa while still in middle school, his feel for scoring was the first takeaway. Nothing is flashy with him, but everything is within a comfortable rhythm. His form, his release and his pace are all repeatable. 

Dybantsa played 19 minutes per game on this summer’s USA Basketball U16 team. The 6-foot-8 wing averaged 13.7 points on 61.7% shooting from the field. The dynamic of this team was fast, so a lot of his points came in transition and with finishes at the rim. However, he was able to show an ability to create in the half-court, especially in the mid-range.

Dybantsa has a comfortable mid-post game. He has an array of jab steps that get his defender off balance and allow him clean looks from 12 to 18 feet. The footwork for Dybantsa is developing, becoming more and more natural. While he can attack the basket and finish at the rim, he is also able to pull up off two or three dribbles to knock down a shot. 

Dybantsa has a natural form on his jump shot. In the game, things can get a bit rushed, and he loses his base at times — knocking his form off balance. He will need to continue to strengthen his core and develop his footwork beyond the arc. Outside of the positive markers in his shooting form, Dybantsa shot 85.7% from the free throw line this summer, showing his touch. 

Dybantsa played up two age groups this summer in the 17U Division of Nike’s EYBL Circuit. His 17.1 points finished the regular season in the top 20 on the Nike EYBL Circuit. He turned things up a notch during Peach Jam, where Dybantsa led all players in scoring at 25.8 points — over 4.5 points more than the second person. In total, he averaged 20.6 points and shot 50.4% from the field.

Dybantsa has a natural feel for the game

While the scoring aspect might be the biggest takeaway, AJ Dybantsa’s processing ability is impressive as well. Even at a young age, he is able to dissect a play and make a read within the flow of the play. 

Dybantsa is capable of leading the break, as well as getting his team into offense. When pushing the ball, he does so with purpose but also with balance and pace. Even with his first, and probably second, option being to score, Dybantsa routinely finds the open man if that lane was cut off. In his 19.0 minutes per game during the FIBA Americas Championships, Dybantsa also averaged 3.8 assists to only 1.2 turnovers per game. 

Granted, the USA Basketball U16 games are played at a break-neck speed, with a lot of possessions; in their time on the floor, the players have to go out and make the play. Dybantsa had no problem moving the ball. 

Even when playing up two age groups, defenses focused on him. He passed the ball where the help came from. He properly weighted passes with both hands, off a live dribble, and from various points on the floor. Drawing the gameplan of the defense, Dybantsa still managed 3.5 assists per game with a mere 1.56 assist-to-turnover ratio. 

Dybantsa’s measurables

USA Basketball listed AJ Dybantsa at 6-foot-8 on the roster for the FIBA Americas Championship. That is the prototypical size for a wing as he moves toward the highest levels. While USA Basketball has not officially put out wingspan measurements, I have seen reports of Dybantsa having a 6-foot-11 wing span. That number checks out with the eye test as you see clearly that he is very lengthy, with arms that naturally swing flowingly down from his wide-set shoulders. 

Dybantsa is also a good athlete, naturally capable of fluidly moving laterally and explosively moving vertically. He will need to continue adding weight, as he has thin hips and base. As he continues to put on the weight, his balance and ability to play through contact should also improve. 

As things stand, Dybantsa has the size and the frame that you look for in a wing.

Projecting ahead

It is always difficult when talking about high school players, especially young ones who theoretically have three years to go. However, AJ Dybantsa has a lot of the indicators you look for. 

Naturally, there are things he will have to clean up; however, his natural ability is simply advanced among his peers. The positional size is the starting point, to go with the length and athleticism. The natural feel he has with the ability to comfortably score in a variety of ways at multiple levels, as well as make a read and distribute to the open man. His feel for the game is impressive for a rising sophomore.