AJ Dybantsa, the former BYU standout and projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, made headlines at the NBA Combine on Wednesday with a bold declaration about his favorite team—the Boston Celtics. "This is my last year being a Celtics fan," Dybantsa said, drawing laughs and raising eyebrows across the basketball world.

Dybantsa, who grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts—just an hour south of Boston—has been a lifelong Celtics supporter. But with the draft just a month away, he knows his fandom is on borrowed time. The Celtics, currently loaded with stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, have no realistic path to drafting him unless they pull off a blockbuster trade for the No. 1 pick, currently held by the Washington Wizards.

The 19-year-old forward had a standout season at BYU, averaging 25.5 points and 6.8 rebounds over 35 games while leading the Cougars to the NCAA Tournament. His scoring ability and versatility make him a top prize in this year's draft class.

If the Wizards select Dybantsa with the top pick, it would mark the second straight year a New England native goes No. 1 overall. Last year, the Dallas Mavericks drafted Cooper Flagg—a Maine native and former Duke star—who also grew up cheering for the Celtics. It seems the region is producing elite talent with a soft spot for Boston, even if they won't be wearing green on draft night.

For now, Dybantsa is soaking in his final days as a fan before swapping his Celtics gear for a Wizards jersey—or wherever his basketball journey takes him next.