A.J. Dybantsa, No. 1 High School Prospect, Shocks the Basketball World with BYU Commitment
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the basketball world, A.J. Dybantsa, the 6-foot-9 wing player widely regarded as the No. 1 prospect in high school basketball and the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, announced his commitment to BYU on Tuesday morning. The announcement, made live on ESPN’s “First Take,” has basketball fans buzzing as Dybantsa chose the Cougars over powerhouse programs like Alabama, North Carolina, and Kansas.
For BYU, this is a historic moment. Dybantsa becomes the first five-star recruit to commit to the program since the ESPN recruiting database began in 2007. His decision is a testament to the efforts of BYU’s new head coach, Kevin Young, and the NBA pedigree he brings to the table. “At BYU, the whole staff from the head coach on down came from the NBA,” Dybantsa told ESPN. “Head coach Kevin Young coached my favorite player in KD (Kevin Durant), and coached Devin Booker. Both had a lot of good things to say about him. We watched clips of both.”
Why BYU? NBA Ties and a Vision for the Future
BYU’s rise to the top of Dybantsa’s list began shortly after Kevin Young took over as head coach last spring. Young, who was previously on the Phoenix Suns staff, made a strong impression by flying out to meet Dybantsa’s parents during the NBA playoffs. He later hosted Dybantsa for a visit in late June and again in October for his final official visit to BYU’s campus.
It wasn’t just Young’s NBA experience that swayed Dybantsa. The entire BYU program boasts NBA connections, from strength and conditioning coach Michael Davie, who worked with the Milwaukee Bucks, to director of nutrition Danielle LaFata, who came from the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. “Coach Young’s NBA background played a big factor in my decision,” Dybantsa said. “He came from the NBA. He coached NBA players. You cannot get any closer to where I want to be.”
A Tough Decision Among Elite Programs
While BYU ultimately won out, the decision was far from easy for Dybantsa. He visited several top programs, including Kansas, Alabama, and North Carolina. His father, Ace, even attended last week’s Alabama vs. North Carolina game in Chapel Hill. “This was a tough decision,” Dybantsa admitted. “The hardest part about the recruiting process is after every visit you want to go to that school.”
One notable omission from his final list was Kansas State, which hosted Dybantsa in late August but failed to make the cut. Ultimately, BYU’s NBA-centric approach and vision for Dybantsa’s future proved to be the deciding factors.
A Prolific Career and a Bright Future
Dybantsa’s basketball résumé is nothing short of extraordinary. Originally from Massachusetts, he transferred from Prolific Prep (California) to Utah Prep (Utah) over the summer and reclassified from the 2026 high school class to 2025 in October 2023. Despite the change, he maintained his status as the No. 1 prospect in his class.
His high school career has been marked by scoring dominance. He won Gatorade Player of the Year honors for Massachusetts in 2022-23 and led the Nike Peach Jam in scoring in the summer of 2023, averaging 25.8 points. Last spring, he averaged 22.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting 51.9% from the floor and 36.7% from three-point range. He followed that up with 23.1 points per game in the summer, leading the Oakland Soldiers to the Peach Jam championship game.
Dybantsa has also shined on the international stage with USA Basketball, winning gold medals at the 2023 FIBA Americas U16 Championship and the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup. His versatility and skill set make him the epitome of the modern NBA wing, capable of playing multiple positions and creating mismatches. Whether it’s his midrange scoring, three-point shooting, or defensive versatility, Dybantsa has all the tools to succeed at the next level.
What’s Next for BYU?
With Dybantsa on board, the pressure is now on Kevin Young to build a team capable of competing on the national stage. “The goal is to win a national championship,” Dybantsa said. “Individually their plan is to make me NBA-ready, the No. 1 overall draft pick. They will help me with my 3-point shot and put me in different spots that I would play in the NBA.”
Dybantsa joins a strong 2025 recruiting class for BYU, which also includes ESPN 100 center Xavion Staton (No. 34) and four-star big man Chamberlain Burgess. However, the Cougars could face significant roster turnover, with four seniors on this year’s team and the potential departures of projected lottery pick Egor Demin and first-round pick Kanon Catchings.
One thing is certain: A.J. Dybantsa’s decision to commit to BYU has changed the landscape of college basketball recruiting. Now, all eyes will be on Provo as the Cougars prepare for what could be a historic season.
Originally Written by: Jeff Borzello
