In a significant development for college basketball, AJ Dybantsa, the anticipated top pick for the 2026 NBA draft, has announced his commitment to join BYU, choosing the university over prominent programs like Alabama, North Carolina, and Kansas.
Dybantsa’s decision marks a historic moment for BYU as he becomes the institution’s first five-star high school recruit from the United States. The player’s announcement on ESPN’s “First Take” highlighted several factors that influenced his choice, particularly the NBA experience of BYU’s coaching staff, led by new head coach Kevin Young.
Kevin Young, who previously served as the associate head coach for the Phoenix Suns, is renowned for his role in coaching NBA stars such as Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Dybantsa expressed that his ultimate goal is to reach the NBA, and the presence of an NBA-style support team at BYU was a critical factor in his decision. “Even the strength coach… If it’s all NBA and I’m trying to get to the NBA, I think it’s going to be the best development program for me,” he stated.
Young has set an ambitious goal of transforming BYU into a pipeline for NBA talent. His efforts are already bearing fruit, as seen with players like Egor Demin, a projected 2025 NBA lottery pick, who is currently leading BYU in scoring and assists. Kanon Catchings, another standout freshman, is also featured in multiple NBA mock drafts as a late first-round pick.
Dybantsa is recognized as a prolific scorer in high school basketball. In 2023, he received the Gatorade Player of the Year award for Massachusetts and played a pivotal role in Team USA’s success, contributing to their gold medals at the 2023 FIBA Americas U16 Championship and the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup.
AJ Dybantsa adds to BYU’s already strong recruiting class for 2025, which includes Top-50 prospect Xavion Staton and Chamberlain Burgess. “AJ is a generational talent,” Young remarked, emphasizing the player’s potential and adaptability to BYU’s playing style.
Dybantsa’s commitment is a monumental step for BYU’s basketball program, signaling a new era of talent recruitment and development. Under Kevin Young’s leadership, the team is poised to become a notable contender in college basketball, offering promising prospects for aspiring NBA players.
Source: Local10
