Top NBA prospect AJ Dybantsa said he will not participate in physical workouts for any teams before the 2026 NBA Draft [1].
This decision is unusual for a high-profile prospect, as physical workouts typically allow teams to evaluate a player's athleticism and health before committing a high draft pick. Dybantsa is widely considered a candidate for the No. 1 overall pick [4].
Dybantsa said he felt the workouts were unnecessary because of the interest he has already received from franchises. "I didn't do physical workouts because the teams already recruited me without them," Dybantsa said [3].
While some reports indicate he may work out with two teams [4], multiple other sources state he will work out for zero teams [1]. He said that his interactions with franchises have focused on travel and networking rather than on-court drills. "I didn't work out for nothing. I just visited the cities," Dybantsa said [1].
By avoiding these sessions, the prospect avoids the physical strain associated with repetitive pre-draft evaluations. He said that he spent his time visiting various U.S. cities to build relationships with team personnel rather than performing for scouts [1].
This approach shifts the leverage toward the player, as it forces teams to rely on collegiate game film, and existing scouting reports rather than fresh, controlled data from a private facility. Dybantsa's confidence in his standing suggests he believes his value is already established among NBA front offices [3].
“"I didn't do physical workouts because the teams already recruited me without them."”
Dybantsa's refusal to participate in traditional workouts signals a growing trend of 'elite' prospects exercising significant leverage over NBA franchises. By bypassing the physical evaluation process, he is betting that his collegiate performance and reputation are sufficient to secure a top-tier draft position, potentially challenging the standard scouting protocols used by professional teams.
