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Deadspin | Blue Jackets, following OT escape, eye smoother effort vs. Predators

Deadspin | Blue Jackets, following OT escape, eye smoother effort vs. Predators

Mar 2, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) plays the puck against the New York Rangers during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

After nearly experiencing an epic collapse, the Columbus Blue Jackets will try for their second win in as many days when they host the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.

The Blue Jackets won seven in a row and 11 of 12 before losing 4-2 at Boston on Thursday and falling 4-3 in overtime against the visiting New York Islanders on Saturday.

Columbus led 4-0 through two periods against the host New York Rangers Monday before squandering the lead. Kirill Marchenko’s overtime goal gave the Blue Jackets a 5-4 victory, rescuing them from an embarrassing defeat.

The Blue Jackets, who moved within three points of the Bruins for the Eastern Conference’s final wild-card spot, missed an opportunity to pick up a regulation victory. They have just 20 on the season, fifth fewest in the conference.

Wins in regulation are the first tiebreaker for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Boston has 25.

Columbus coach Rick Bowness said his team made it much harder than it needed be due to some “self-inflicted” mistakes, such as defensemen pinching up ice at the wrong times or a lack of desperation in chasing down pucks.

“We’ll address that and take the two points and get ready for tomorrow,” he said postgame.

Soft third periods have been an issue for Columbus all season. According to Champs or Chumps, the Blue Jackets have lost 16 games in which they held a lead. That’s tied for fourth most. Nine times, they led in the third and still managed to lose. Only the Pittsburgh Penguins have endured more late collapses, 10.

The issue could come up again Tuesday as the Blue Jackets host a Predators squad that ranks second with 18 comeback victories. Nashville is also one of five teams with eight or more rallies from third-period deficits. Vegas leads the NHL with nine.

Unfortunately for the Predators, they allowed the Red Wings to come back from a 2-1 deficit midway through their Monday afternoon game, and Detroit registered a 4-2 victory in Nashville.

Two of Detroit’s first three goals came off rushes, including a short-handed tally by Albert Johansson that put the Red Wings up for good with less than four minutes left in the second.

Predators defenseman Roman Josi said afterward that the Blue Jackets play a lot like the Red Wings.

“Those are some things we can correct,” said Nashville’s captain, who notched his 30th assist of the season in the loss. “I thought in the zone, we played well defensively, but when you play these fast teams that are good off the rush, you got to make sure you come back and don’t give up too many odd-man rushes.”

Nashville, too, is on the outside of the playoff picture. The Predators, 1-2-2 in their past five games, are four points behind both the Utah Mammoth and the Edmonton Oilers, who hold the two Western Conference wild-card spots.

Columbus defenseman Zach Werenski, a key member of the gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic team, missed the Monday game due to an illness. He owns a nine-game point streak (two goals, 11 assists) and leads the team with 45 assists and 65 points.

Steven Stamkos, who leads Nashville with 30 goals, did not score on Monday, but he has five in his past six games.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Blue #Jackets #escape #eye #smoother #effort #Predators

Indian women’s team head coach Amol Muzumdar has backed veteran all-rounder Deepti Sharma to come good but admitted that her prolonged lean patch in national colours is a bit of a “concern”.

Indian team under Harmanpreet Kaur has already lost the five-match WT20I series against South Africa after losing three games on trot but what has been a concern is Deepti’s poor returns with the ball as she has remained wicketless so far.

In the third WT20I match where Proteas Women chased down 192 with just a wicket down, Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus took Deepti to the cleaners taking 46 runs from her 3.3 overs.

In fact Deepti’s contribution for India in last 10 games, across formats, is a meagre 51 runs seven wickets.

ALSO READ | India’s two-year unbeaten streak ends as Wolvaardt-led South Africa clinches series 3-0

“Look, I don’t want to beat around the bush, I just want to say that yeah, it’s a bit of a concern as far as Deepti is concerned,” Muzumdar said ahead of the fourth game of the series on Saturday.

But at the same time, Muzumdar is confident that Deepti has talent and skill to make a superb comeback.

“For all champion players are, form is, you know, temporary, class is permanent, it’s a cliche, but it applies to all the players, and she’s a class player, there’s no doubt about it, we have seen it in the World Cup, in bigger tournaments, in pressure situations, she has stood up for India,” Muzumdar came to her defence.

“I think it’s just a matter of time when she hits a form, and I and the entire country would be hoping it starts from tomorrow. She’s been a marquee player for a long time, and she has shouldered that responsibility in the middle-order, I mean, she’s one of the pillars of Indian women’s cricket at the moment,” he added.

With not much time left for the T20 World Cup which will be held in England in June, Muzumdar wants the bowling unit to give a far better account of itself, especially during PowerPlay overs as the returns have been minimal in this series. “If you look at the series from the Indian perspective, I think our main concern would be wickets in the Powerplay. We have had a real good chat about it.

“That’s one of the concerns of this tour that has propped up, but I’m sure we are, the bowlers and everyone is capable enough to come up with goods, you know, in the future games,” said the head coach.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#Deeptis #form #concern #bounce #India #coach #Muzumdar">Deepti’s form is a concern but she will bounce back: India head coach Muzumdar  Indian women’s team head coach Amol Muzumdar has backed veteran all-rounder Deepti Sharma to come good but admitted that her prolonged lean patch in national colours is a bit of a “concern”.Indian team under Harmanpreet Kaur has already lost the five-match WT20I series against South Africa after losing three games on trot but what has been a concern is Deepti’s poor returns with the ball as she has remained wicketless so far.In the third WT20I match where Proteas Women chased down 192 with just a wicket down, Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus took Deepti to the cleaners taking 46 runs from her 3.3 overs.In fact Deepti’s contribution for India in last 10 games, across formats, is a meagre 51 runs seven wickets.ALSO READ | India’s two-year unbeaten streak ends as Wolvaardt-led South Africa clinches series 3-0“Look, I don’t want to beat around the bush, I just want to say that yeah, it’s a bit of a concern as far as Deepti is concerned,” Muzumdar said ahead of the fourth game of the series on Saturday.But at the same time, Muzumdar is confident that Deepti has talent and skill to make a superb comeback.“For all champion players are, form is, you know, temporary, class is permanent, it’s a cliche, but it applies to all the players, and she’s a class player, there’s no doubt about it, we have seen it in the World Cup, in bigger tournaments, in pressure situations, she has stood up for India,” Muzumdar came to her defence.“I think it’s just a matter of time when she hits a form, and I and the entire country would be hoping it starts from tomorrow. She’s been a marquee player for a long time, and she has shouldered that responsibility in the middle-order, I mean, she’s one of the pillars of Indian women’s cricket at the moment,” he added.With not much time left for the T20 World Cup which will be held in England in June, Muzumdar wants the bowling unit to give a far better account of itself, especially during PowerPlay overs as the returns have been minimal in this series. “If you look at the series from the Indian perspective, I think our main concern would be wickets in the Powerplay. We have had a real good chat about it.“That’s one of the concerns of this tour that has propped up, but I’m sure we are, the bowlers and everyone is capable enough to come up with goods, you know, in the future games,” said the head coach.Published on Apr 24, 2026  #Deeptis #form #concern #bounce #India #coach #Muzumdar

India’s two-year unbeaten streak ends as Wolvaardt-led South Africa clinches series 3-0

“Look, I don’t want to beat around the bush, I just want to say that yeah, it’s a bit of a concern as far as Deepti is concerned,” Muzumdar said ahead of the fourth game of the series on Saturday.

But at the same time, Muzumdar is confident that Deepti has talent and skill to make a superb comeback.

“For all champion players are, form is, you know, temporary, class is permanent, it’s a cliche, but it applies to all the players, and she’s a class player, there’s no doubt about it, we have seen it in the World Cup, in bigger tournaments, in pressure situations, she has stood up for India,” Muzumdar came to her defence.

“I think it’s just a matter of time when she hits a form, and I and the entire country would be hoping it starts from tomorrow. She’s been a marquee player for a long time, and she has shouldered that responsibility in the middle-order, I mean, she’s one of the pillars of Indian women’s cricket at the moment,” he added.

With not much time left for the T20 World Cup which will be held in England in June, Muzumdar wants the bowling unit to give a far better account of itself, especially during PowerPlay overs as the returns have been minimal in this series. “If you look at the series from the Indian perspective, I think our main concern would be wickets in the Powerplay. We have had a real good chat about it.

“That’s one of the concerns of this tour that has propped up, but I’m sure we are, the bowlers and everyone is capable enough to come up with goods, you know, in the future games,” said the head coach.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#Deeptis #form #concern #bounce #India #coach #Muzumdar">Deepti’s form is a concern but she will bounce back: India head coach Muzumdar

Indian women’s team head coach Amol Muzumdar has backed veteran all-rounder Deepti Sharma to come good but admitted that her prolonged lean patch in national colours is a bit of a “concern”.

Indian team under Harmanpreet Kaur has already lost the five-match WT20I series against South Africa after losing three games on trot but what has been a concern is Deepti’s poor returns with the ball as she has remained wicketless so far.

In the third WT20I match where Proteas Women chased down 192 with just a wicket down, Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus took Deepti to the cleaners taking 46 runs from her 3.3 overs.

In fact Deepti’s contribution for India in last 10 games, across formats, is a meagre 51 runs seven wickets.

ALSO READ | India’s two-year unbeaten streak ends as Wolvaardt-led South Africa clinches series 3-0

“Look, I don’t want to beat around the bush, I just want to say that yeah, it’s a bit of a concern as far as Deepti is concerned,” Muzumdar said ahead of the fourth game of the series on Saturday.

But at the same time, Muzumdar is confident that Deepti has talent and skill to make a superb comeback.

“For all champion players are, form is, you know, temporary, class is permanent, it’s a cliche, but it applies to all the players, and she’s a class player, there’s no doubt about it, we have seen it in the World Cup, in bigger tournaments, in pressure situations, she has stood up for India,” Muzumdar came to her defence.

“I think it’s just a matter of time when she hits a form, and I and the entire country would be hoping it starts from tomorrow. She’s been a marquee player for a long time, and she has shouldered that responsibility in the middle-order, I mean, she’s one of the pillars of Indian women’s cricket at the moment,” he added.

With not much time left for the T20 World Cup which will be held in England in June, Muzumdar wants the bowling unit to give a far better account of itself, especially during PowerPlay overs as the returns have been minimal in this series. “If you look at the series from the Indian perspective, I think our main concern would be wickets in the Powerplay. We have had a real good chat about it.

“That’s one of the concerns of this tour that has propped up, but I’m sure we are, the bowlers and everyone is capable enough to come up with goods, you know, in the future games,” said the head coach.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#Deeptis #form #concern #bounce #India #coach #Muzumdar
AJ Dybantsa’s Decision Proves NIL Still Can’t Compete With NBA Money | Deadspin.com  Mar 12, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) protects the ball from Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) during the second half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images   Future top-5 NBA draft pick, AJ Dybantsa, announced via his social media that he will be declaring for the draft, forgoing his final three years of eligibility at BYU.  This comes as no surprise to anyone with a brain, as Kalshi’s markets show that Dybantsa has a 75% chance of being taken first overall at the draft this June. Last year’s first overall pick, Cooper Flagg, signed a four-year deal, totaling -million, the highest in NBA history up until this point. This number will only be higher in 2026, so Dybantsa will likely be making over  million in his rookie year if he’s taken with the top selection.  Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: basketball During his time at BYU, it was rumored that Dybantsa had NIL packages totaling over  million, one of the highest in the short history of NIL. If he returned for a sophomore season, he would’ve had a chance to improve on that, but would still likely be making a good chunk less than any NBA contract, before even considering additional brand deals.Dybantsa had joked before that his mom was going to make him stay in college for four years to earn his degree, but generational wealth can definitely change that mindset. Moreso, I’m kinda over top draft picks pretending like they’re actually going to come back for a second year of college basketball.I’m sure most of these guys had the time of their lives at college. Being the king of the campus, where the red carpet is always laid out for you, has to be awesome at 18 or 19, but what’s even cooler than that is millions of dollars and not having to go to college classes.Of course, people try to argue that NIL could offset those lost years, not making NBA money, but those people have a fundamental misunderstanding of NBA contracts. The younger you are, the more money you can make in the NBA. Of course, injuries and players struggling to adjust to the NBA level can prevent that from occurring, but the statement is true for most cases.If a young, top draft pick even shows flashes of All-Star potential, teams are kind of forced into paying these guys max contracts as early as possible. At just 23 years old, guys can be making + million if they leave college after their rookie seasons. If these players continue to blossom and have productive, long NBA careers, the number of max deals they can sign increases over time.A player that sticks around for four college seasons wouldn’t reach a max deal until their 26 or 27. One-and-done athletes will be looking at their second max deal at that same point. It’s financially irresponsible for kids to turn down this level of wealth just to play a little bit more college hoops.Also, being the big man on campus at BYU can’t even be that great. I could understand why a guy from Wisconsin or Arizona State might want to stick around college, but being an NBA superstar has to be cooler than being a BYU superstar. Quit pretending you’re going back to college; these guys are never turning down NBA money. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: basketball   #Dybantsas #Decision #Proves #NIL #Compete #NBA #Money #Deadspin.comMar 12, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) protects the ball from Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) during the second half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images

Future top-5 NBA draft pick, AJ Dybantsa, announced via his social media that he will be declaring for the draft, forgoing his final three years of eligibility at BYU.


This comes as no surprise to anyone with a brain, as Kalshi’s markets show that Dybantsa has a 75% chance of being taken first overall at the draft this June. 

Last year’s first overall pick, Cooper Flagg, signed a four-year deal, totaling $62-million, the highest in NBA history up until this point. This number will only be higher in 2026, so Dybantsa will likely be making over $15 million in his rookie year if he’s taken with the top selection.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: basketball

During his time at BYU, it was rumored that Dybantsa had NIL packages totaling over $7 million, one of the highest in the short history of NIL. If he returned for a sophomore season, he would’ve had a chance to improve on that, but would still likely be making a good chunk less than any NBA contract, before even considering additional brand deals.

Dybantsa had joked before that his mom was going to make him stay in college for four years to earn his degree, but generational wealth can definitely change that mindset. Moreso, I’m kinda over top draft picks pretending like they’re actually going to come back for a second year of college basketball.

I’m sure most of these guys had the time of their lives at college. Being the king of the campus, where the red carpet is always laid out for you, has to be awesome at 18 or 19, but what’s even cooler than that is millions of dollars and not having to go to college classes.

Of course, people try to argue that NIL could offset those lost years, not making NBA money, but those people have a fundamental misunderstanding of NBA contracts. The younger you are, the more money you can make in the NBA. Of course, injuries and players struggling to adjust to the NBA level can prevent that from occurring, but the statement is true for most cases.

If a young, top draft pick even shows flashes of All-Star potential, teams are kind of forced into paying these guys max contracts as early as possible. At just 23 years old, guys can be making $40+ million if they leave college after their rookie seasons. If these players continue to blossom and have productive, long NBA careers, the number of max deals they can sign increases over time.

A player that sticks around for four college seasons wouldn’t reach a max deal until their 26 or 27. One-and-done athletes will be looking at their second max deal at that same point. It’s financially irresponsible for kids to turn down this level of wealth just to play a little bit more college hoops.

Also, being the big man on campus at BYU can’t even be that great. I could understand why a guy from Wisconsin or Arizona State might want to stick around college, but being an NBA superstar has to be cooler than being a BYU superstar. Quit pretending you’re going back to college; these guys are never turning down NBA money.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: basketball

#Dybantsas #Decision #Proves #NIL #Compete #NBA #Money #Deadspin.com">AJ Dybantsa’s Decision Proves NIL Still Can’t Compete With NBA Money | Deadspin.com  Mar 12, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) protects the ball from Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) during the second half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images   Future top-5 NBA draft pick, AJ Dybantsa, announced via his social media that he will be declaring for the draft, forgoing his final three years of eligibility at BYU.  This comes as no surprise to anyone with a brain, as Kalshi’s markets show that Dybantsa has a 75% chance of being taken first overall at the draft this June. Last year’s first overall pick, Cooper Flagg, signed a four-year deal, totaling -million, the highest in NBA history up until this point. This number will only be higher in 2026, so Dybantsa will likely be making over  million in his rookie year if he’s taken with the top selection.  Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: basketball During his time at BYU, it was rumored that Dybantsa had NIL packages totaling over  million, one of the highest in the short history of NIL. If he returned for a sophomore season, he would’ve had a chance to improve on that, but would still likely be making a good chunk less than any NBA contract, before even considering additional brand deals.Dybantsa had joked before that his mom was going to make him stay in college for four years to earn his degree, but generational wealth can definitely change that mindset. Moreso, I’m kinda over top draft picks pretending like they’re actually going to come back for a second year of college basketball.I’m sure most of these guys had the time of their lives at college. Being the king of the campus, where the red carpet is always laid out for you, has to be awesome at 18 or 19, but what’s even cooler than that is millions of dollars and not having to go to college classes.Of course, people try to argue that NIL could offset those lost years, not making NBA money, but those people have a fundamental misunderstanding of NBA contracts. The younger you are, the more money you can make in the NBA. Of course, injuries and players struggling to adjust to the NBA level can prevent that from occurring, but the statement is true for most cases.If a young, top draft pick even shows flashes of All-Star potential, teams are kind of forced into paying these guys max contracts as early as possible. At just 23 years old, guys can be making + million if they leave college after their rookie seasons. If these players continue to blossom and have productive, long NBA careers, the number of max deals they can sign increases over time.A player that sticks around for four college seasons wouldn’t reach a max deal until their 26 or 27. One-and-done athletes will be looking at their second max deal at that same point. It’s financially irresponsible for kids to turn down this level of wealth just to play a little bit more college hoops.Also, being the big man on campus at BYU can’t even be that great. I could understand why a guy from Wisconsin or Arizona State might want to stick around college, but being an NBA superstar has to be cooler than being a BYU superstar. Quit pretending you’re going back to college; these guys are never turning down NBA money. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: basketball   #Dybantsas #Decision #Proves #NIL #Compete #NBA #Money #Deadspin.com

no surprise to anyone with a brain, as Kalshi’s markets show that Dybantsa has a 75% chance of being taken first overall at the draft this June. 

Last year’s first overall pick, Cooper Flagg, signed a four-year deal, totaling $62-million, the highest in NBA history up until this point. This number will only be higher in 2026, so Dybantsa will likely be making over $15 million in his rookie year if he’s taken with the top selection.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: basketball

During his time at BYU, it was rumored that Dybantsa had NIL packages totaling over $7 million, one of the highest in the short history of NIL. If he returned for a sophomore season, he would’ve had a chance to improve on that, but would still likely be making a good chunk less than any NBA contract, before even considering additional brand deals.

Dybantsa had joked before that his mom was going to make him stay in college for four years to earn his degree, but generational wealth can definitely change that mindset. Moreso, I’m kinda over top draft picks pretending like they’re actually going to come back for a second year of college basketball.

I’m sure most of these guys had the time of their lives at college. Being the king of the campus, where the red carpet is always laid out for you, has to be awesome at 18 or 19, but what’s even cooler than that is millions of dollars and not having to go to college classes.

Of course, people try to argue that NIL could offset those lost years, not making NBA money, but those people have a fundamental misunderstanding of NBA contracts. The younger you are, the more money you can make in the NBA. Of course, injuries and players struggling to adjust to the NBA level can prevent that from occurring, but the statement is true for most cases.

If a young, top draft pick even shows flashes of All-Star potential, teams are kind of forced into paying these guys max contracts as early as possible. At just 23 years old, guys can be making $40+ million if they leave college after their rookie seasons. If these players continue to blossom and have productive, long NBA careers, the number of max deals they can sign increases over time.

A player that sticks around for four college seasons wouldn’t reach a max deal until their 26 or 27. One-and-done athletes will be looking at their second max deal at that same point. It’s financially irresponsible for kids to turn down this level of wealth just to play a little bit more college hoops.

Also, being the big man on campus at BYU can’t even be that great. I could understand why a guy from Wisconsin or Arizona State might want to stick around college, but being an NBA superstar has to be cooler than being a BYU superstar. Quit pretending you’re going back to college; these guys are never turning down NBA money.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: basketball

#Dybantsas #Decision #Proves #NIL #Compete #NBA #Money #Deadspin.com">AJ Dybantsa’s Decision Proves NIL Still Can’t Compete With NBA Money | Deadspin.com
AJ Dybantsa’s Decision Proves NIL Still Can’t Compete With NBA Money | Deadspin.com  Mar 12, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) protects the ball from Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) during the second half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images   Future top-5 NBA draft pick, AJ Dybantsa, announced via his social media that he will be declaring for the draft, forgoing his final three years of eligibility at BYU.  This comes as no surprise to anyone with a brain, as Kalshi’s markets show that Dybantsa has a 75% chance of being taken first overall at the draft this June. Last year’s first overall pick, Cooper Flagg, signed a four-year deal, totaling -million, the highest in NBA history up until this point. This number will only be higher in 2026, so Dybantsa will likely be making over  million in his rookie year if he’s taken with the top selection.  Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: basketball During his time at BYU, it was rumored that Dybantsa had NIL packages totaling over  million, one of the highest in the short history of NIL. If he returned for a sophomore season, he would’ve had a chance to improve on that, but would still likely be making a good chunk less than any NBA contract, before even considering additional brand deals.Dybantsa had joked before that his mom was going to make him stay in college for four years to earn his degree, but generational wealth can definitely change that mindset. Moreso, I’m kinda over top draft picks pretending like they’re actually going to come back for a second year of college basketball.I’m sure most of these guys had the time of their lives at college. Being the king of the campus, where the red carpet is always laid out for you, has to be awesome at 18 or 19, but what’s even cooler than that is millions of dollars and not having to go to college classes.Of course, people try to argue that NIL could offset those lost years, not making NBA money, but those people have a fundamental misunderstanding of NBA contracts. The younger you are, the more money you can make in the NBA. Of course, injuries and players struggling to adjust to the NBA level can prevent that from occurring, but the statement is true for most cases.If a young, top draft pick even shows flashes of All-Star potential, teams are kind of forced into paying these guys max contracts as early as possible. At just 23 years old, guys can be making + million if they leave college after their rookie seasons. If these players continue to blossom and have productive, long NBA careers, the number of max deals they can sign increases over time.A player that sticks around for four college seasons wouldn’t reach a max deal until their 26 or 27. One-and-done athletes will be looking at their second max deal at that same point. It’s financially irresponsible for kids to turn down this level of wealth just to play a little bit more college hoops.Also, being the big man on campus at BYU can’t even be that great. I could understand why a guy from Wisconsin or Arizona State might want to stick around college, but being an NBA superstar has to be cooler than being a BYU superstar. Quit pretending you’re going back to college; these guys are never turning down NBA money. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: basketball   #Dybantsas #Decision #Proves #NIL #Compete #NBA #Money #Deadspin.comMar 12, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) protects the ball from Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) during the second half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images

Future top-5 NBA draft pick, AJ Dybantsa, announced via his social media that he will be declaring for the draft, forgoing his final three years of eligibility at BYU.


This comes as no surprise to anyone with a brain, as Kalshi’s markets show that Dybantsa has a 75% chance of being taken first overall at the draft this June. 

Last year’s first overall pick, Cooper Flagg, signed a four-year deal, totaling $62-million, the highest in NBA history up until this point. This number will only be higher in 2026, so Dybantsa will likely be making over $15 million in his rookie year if he’s taken with the top selection.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: basketball

During his time at BYU, it was rumored that Dybantsa had NIL packages totaling over $7 million, one of the highest in the short history of NIL. If he returned for a sophomore season, he would’ve had a chance to improve on that, but would still likely be making a good chunk less than any NBA contract, before even considering additional brand deals.

Dybantsa had joked before that his mom was going to make him stay in college for four years to earn his degree, but generational wealth can definitely change that mindset. Moreso, I’m kinda over top draft picks pretending like they’re actually going to come back for a second year of college basketball.

I’m sure most of these guys had the time of their lives at college. Being the king of the campus, where the red carpet is always laid out for you, has to be awesome at 18 or 19, but what’s even cooler than that is millions of dollars and not having to go to college classes.

Of course, people try to argue that NIL could offset those lost years, not making NBA money, but those people have a fundamental misunderstanding of NBA contracts. The younger you are, the more money you can make in the NBA. Of course, injuries and players struggling to adjust to the NBA level can prevent that from occurring, but the statement is true for most cases.

If a young, top draft pick even shows flashes of All-Star potential, teams are kind of forced into paying these guys max contracts as early as possible. At just 23 years old, guys can be making $40+ million if they leave college after their rookie seasons. If these players continue to blossom and have productive, long NBA careers, the number of max deals they can sign increases over time.

A player that sticks around for four college seasons wouldn’t reach a max deal until their 26 or 27. One-and-done athletes will be looking at their second max deal at that same point. It’s financially irresponsible for kids to turn down this level of wealth just to play a little bit more college hoops.

Also, being the big man on campus at BYU can’t even be that great. I could understand why a guy from Wisconsin or Arizona State might want to stick around college, but being an NBA superstar has to be cooler than being a BYU superstar. Quit pretending you’re going back to college; these guys are never turning down NBA money.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: basketball

#Dybantsas #Decision #Proves #NIL #Compete #NBA #Money #Deadspin.com

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