Former NBA Star Says BYU-Kansas Game Will Decide No. 1 Draft Pick
Jan 30, 2026, 10:40 PM
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The stars are showing up for Saturday’s top-15 Big 12 clash between BYU and Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse.
Former NBA star Paul Pierce will be in attendance. Pierce is a Kansas Jayhawk legend from the 90s. He will make his first visit to Allen Fieldhouse in 15 years.
Kansas great, former NBA star Paul Pierce, weighs in on AJ Dybantsa/Darryn Peterson
"You might just get overwhelmed in the layup line looking around like 😲 "
Paul Pierce is heading back to Lawrence for the first time in 15 years to witness AJ Dybansta & Darryn Peterson go head-to-head tomorrow night. pic.twitter.com/yojHqPcySN
— KG: Certified (@kg_certified) January 30, 2026
Pierce hopped on the “KG: Certified” podcast, hosted by Pierce’s former Boston Celtics teammate, Kevin Garnett. They got into a discussion of BYU versus Kansas, and the hot topic within that game of BYU star AJ Dybantsa going up against Kansas star Darryn Peterson.
Both players are projected to go No. 1 and No. 2 in the NBA draft.
During his interview on KG: Certified, Pierce believes Saturday’s game in Lawrence will ultimately decide who goes No. 1.
“This is not only the game, but this is also about the future of what’s coming to the next level,” Pierce said on KG: Certified. “You know, these two guys are projected as number one pick, and so, I think whoever wins this game will probably be the number one pick and play well.”
We’ll see later this year if Pierce’s statement ends up being “the truth” or not. Still, there will be no shortage of NBA eyes on this matchup with historic Allen Fieldhouse as the backdrop.
AJ Dybantsa enters the game as the leading scorer in the Big 12 at 23.6 points per game. During Big 12 play, he’s averaging more than 24 points.
📍 Allen Fieldhouse
#13 BYU at #14 Kansas pic.twitter.com/RkrqMJXAE8
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) January 31, 2026
Peterson, who has dealt with hamstring and ankle injuries at different points this season, has only appeared in 10 games. During Big 12 play, Peterson is averaging 23 points per game and knocking down 42% of his 3-point attempts.
The last time a college basketball game featured the top two picks in the NBA draft was in 2022. Duke, with No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero, faced Gonzaga and No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren.
No. 13 BYU vs. No. 14 Kansas
Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026
Tip-Off: 2:30 p.m. (MST)/3:30 p.m. (CST)
TV: ESPN
Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM) — Coverage begins at Noon from Lawrence
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
