How has likely No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa been passing the time while waiting for the NBA Draft?
On May 10, Brockton native AJ Dybantsa sat in a Chicago convention center, stone-faced and steely-eyed, as NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum opened envelopes that revealed the results of the draft lottery.
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Dybantsa is the favorite to be selected first overall, so his list of potential destinations was about to be narrowed considerably. His father, Ace, asked him if he had a preference.
“He said he didn’t care,” Ace said by telephone from New York on Tuesday. “He said he just wants to be No. 1. As long as his name is called first, he’ll be happy.”
The Jazz were awarded the second pick and would be a comfortable option. Dybantsa spent his freshman year of high school at St. Sebastian’s in Needham before completing two years at a California prep school and his senior year at Utah Prep in Hurricane. He also recently finished his freshman year at Brigham Young, and Jazz owner Ryan Smith has connections to both of Dybantsa’s former Utah schools.
The Wizards received the top pick. AJ’s connections to the Wizards are less tangible, but Ace said they have enjoyed family vacations in Washington over the years, particularly visits to the parks and monuments.
“It’s between Washington and Utah,” Ace said. “One of those places is going to be our home very soon.”
Ace said both teams are currently “doing their due diligence” regarding AJ, who might travel to the cities next week to conduct pre-draft workouts.
The past two months have been a whirlwind for the 6-foot-8-inch wing who led the nation in scoring last season and was a unanimous first-team All-American.
He stayed in Los Angeles for about six weeks, mostly working out and meeting with companies about endorsement deals. The stay was briefly interrupted by a trip to Chicago for the combine and the lottery. AJ then returned to Brockton for two days but mostly used that time to catch up on sleep. He left the house only to go out for dinner.
AJ and Ace then went to Paris, where they watched American tennis star Frances Tiafoe play at the French Open and saw a World Cup friendly tuneup match between France and Ivory Coast.
There was even a brief detour to Budapest for Paris Saint-Germain’s win over Arsenal in the Champions League final. The visit was organized by AJ’s Paris-based marketing agency.
“We did some deals while we were there,” Ace said.
AJ has had NIL agreements with Nike and Red Bull for several years, and Ace said his son recently signed endorsement deals with Fanatics and Meta.
The family continues to navigate the process without a traditional agent. Leonard Armato, who represented Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal, still serves as an adviser. Ace has assembled a team that includes a lawyer, a financial adviser, a talent manager, and security detail, while wearing each of those hats in some form himself.
“We’re not going to hire an agent if we don’t need one,” Ace said. “We’ll be fine. And I’m not an agent; I’m a dad. I’m just trying to take care of things so AJ can focus on basketball.”
On Monday night, AJ and Ace attended the Spurs’ win over the Knicks in Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. AJ worked as a media correspondent during Tuesday’s interview sessions at the arena and will be back to watch Game 4 on Wednesday.
“Hopefully within five years he’s going to be on the same stage,” Ace said. “Hopefully. That’s his goal.”
The journey will begin with the NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 23. Ace said the family will arrive a few days early so AJ can take part in various events and appearances. Then they will settle in for the biggest one of all.
“We just can’t wait to hear his name called,” Ace said. “He’s ready. He’s ready and he can’t wait to get started.”
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