Dibanza's bid for the top draft pick faces uncertainty! He reveals he might not enter this year's draft, citing his mother's wish for him to graduate.

On March 4th Beijing time, Dibanza, a leading contender for the 2026 NBA top draft pick, spoke with Salt Lake City media about his professional prospects. In a surprising turn, Dibanza indicated he is undecided about declaring for this year's draft and may continue playing in the NCAA, driven by his mother's desire for him to complete his degree.

When asked if he cared about becoming the top pick, Dibanza answered plainly: "I do." However, when questioned about his actual chances, he shifted gears: "I (might) not declare this year. My mom wants me to graduate. So I might not leave college, or maybe I will. It's not decided yet; I need to talk it over with my mom."

Explaining the reasoning behind his mother's perspective, Dibanza said: "As a mom, she thinks about life after basketball. If something happens to me, I need a backup plan."

During the interview, the host mentioned Dibanza's connections with many NBA players, including a group chat where they frequently text. The host asked: "What advice are they giving you now?"

Dibanza responded: "They just teach me how to maintain my rhythm and keep improving in the Big 12. And they tell me, once I get to the NBA, how they would lock me down — but I won't reveal those details." Dibanza also disclosed that one of the NBA players he communicates with this way is Russell Westbrook.

The host followed up: "Do you believe him?"

Dibanza stated: "I think I could still score a few points on him. He can't completely shut me down; at most, he'd just make it tougher for me."