The potential recruitment of AJ Dybantsa, a highly-regarded high school basketball player, has generated considerable excitement among BYU basketball fans and sports enthusiasts. Standing at an imposing 6-foot-9 and weighing 200 pounds, Dybantsa is widely regarded as the top high school basketball player in the Class of 2025 with the potential to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NBA draft. Recently, he has garnered significant attention from colleges, including a scholarship offer from the BYU Cougars, adding to the list of top-tier schools vying for his talents.
Despite receiving a scholarship offer from the Utah Runnin’ Utes and announcing his intention to play his senior year at Utah Prep in Hurricane, BYU managed to capture Dybantsa’s attention during an unofficial visit to the campus. According to college basketball insider Sam Lance, Dybantsa is expected to reveal the final 10 schools he is considering attending before the NBA, with BYU making the cut.
During a recent interview, Dybantsa candidly shared his thoughts about the schools actively recruiting him, stating, “It’s three hours away from Utah Prep so I mean that’s kinda far, but I mean it was good. Seeing the campus, I just seen like the overall view, seeing the gyms and everything.”
Dybantsa, known for his towering height and imposing presence on the court, has only visited two schools so far, with BYU and Auburn making the list. Notably, his father, Ace, manages all communication with college coaches, underscoring the significance of family involvement in Dybantsa’s decision-making process.
Reflecting on his visit to BYU, Dybantsa remarked, “It was good, that’s when I took my Utah Prep visit. Since I was up there I just took an unofficial over there. Coach (Kevin Young) said hopefully he can get me back on an official to take me (through) the whole, like, visit profile and what he has in store for me.”
The competition for Dybantsa is indeed fierce, with the likes of Kentucky, Alabama, Auburn, USC, Duke, Arkansas, Baylor, UConn, and Georgia Tech also vying for his talents. However, Dybantsa’s father has indicated that his son will visit all of his finalists once he has his list narrowed down.
The potential addition of Dybantsa to the Cougars’ roster would represent a significant victory for the team, particularly following their recent successes in recruiting NBA prospects Egor Demin and Kanon Catchings under the leadership of head coach Kevin Young. With BYU gaining a reputation for attracting top talent, it certainly raises the stakes in the world of college basketball.
As the recruitment saga continues to unfold, basketball enthusiasts and BYU supporters eagerly await Dybantsa’s final decision and its potential impact on the future of their beloved team. Could the Cougars secure the services of this promising prospect? Only time will tell.