The prospect of AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson returning to the Big 12 for their sophomore seasons has shifted from a desperate fan theory into a legitimate financial conversation. As the 2026 NBA Draft cycle intensifies, the "NIL factor" is narrowing the gap between the NBA rookie wage scale and the massive retention packages being assembled in Provo and Lawrence.
At BYU, the "Dybantsa Watch" reached a fever pitch following his 35-point explosion in the NCAA Tournament. While the 6-foot-9 wing is a consensus top-two pick, his recent interviews have sent shockwaves through the industry by suggesting he is genuinely weighing a return. With a current NIL valuation between $7 million and $10 million—bolstered by major partners like Nike and Red Bull—Dybantsa is already earning at a professional level. For a No. 1 pick, the first-year NBA salary hovers around $14.5 million; when taxes and agent fees are factored in, the financial "sacrifice" of staying at BYU for a legacy-defining Final Four run is smaller than ever before.
Meanwhile, at Kansas, Darryn Peterson has remained inconspicuously quiet regarding his draft status. Despite being a projected lottery pick, Peterson’s freshman year was plagued by nagging injuries. Rumors suggest that Bill Self and the Kansas collective are pitching a "reclamation" year—a healthy sophomore season where Peterson can prove his durability and lock in the No. 1 overall spot for 2027. If Peterson opts to "run it back" alongside a healthy Jayhawk core, it would represent the biggest recruiting coup of the NIL era. In the new Big 12, the choice is no longer just "pro vs. college," but rather "NBA rookie vs. college superstar," and for the first time, the money is making it a fair fight.
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