KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Prior to the start of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Conference tournament the league released its regular‑season awards — and BYU made its presence felt across multiple categories, headlined by true freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa.
Dybantsa, who has been one of the most talked‑about players in college basketball this season, was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year and earned a spot on the All‑Big 12 First Team. The 18‑year‑old also landed on the All‑Freshman Team, cementing his status as one of the league’s most dominant newcomers.
The freshman is averaging a national‑best 25.8 points per game and drew additional praise from the Big 12 commissioner during Tuesday’s press conference.
“His scoring is on track to make him the first underclassman to lead the nation in scoring since 2021. He’s had a fabulous season,” Yormark said, adding that Dybantsa deserves to be in the conversation for national player of the year honors.
The Big 12’s top honors included Arizona’s Jaden Bradley as Player of the Year, Kansas’ Flory Bidunga as Defensive Player of the Year, and Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd as Coach of the Year following several strong seasons for Arizonas basketball program.
But BYU’s impact extended well beyond its star freshman.
Senior guard Richie Saunders earned a place on the All‑Big 12 Second Team, continuing his rise as one of the league’s most reliable two‑way players despite his recent ACL tare taking him out just several games before post season play. Sophomore guard Rob Wright III was named to the All‑Big 12 Third Team, giving BYU three players represented across the conference’s top three squads.
The Cougars’ strong showing in the awards reflects the program’s rapid adjustment to Big 12 competition in just their second season in the league, bolstered by the leadership of former NBA coach Kevin Young.
Dybantsa’s inclusion on the first team places him among the conference’s elite, joining Arizona standouts Jaden Bradley, Brayden Burries and Motiejus Krivas, as well as Houston’s Emanuel Sharp.
The Big 12’s All‑Freshman Team further underscored the league’s young movement, with Dybantsa joining Arizona’s Burries and Koa Peat, Houston’s Kingston Flemings and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson.
As BYU prepares to open tournament play in Kansas City, the awards announcement adds context to a season marked by both notable individual performances and stretches of offensive inconsistency due to injuries.
With three Cougars earning all‑conference recognition — including the league’s top freshman — BYU enters the postseason with a more defined identity in one of the nation’s toughest basketball leagues.