AJ Dybantsa announced his commitment to BYU in a nationally televised appearance on ESPN’s “First Take.” The 6-foot-9 five star prospect is the top player in the Class of 2025.
He choose the Cougars over Alabama, Kansas, and North Carolina. Dybantsa is the second five-star prospect BYU basketball head coach Kevin Young has landed since taking over as coach in April. The other signee is current freshman guard Egor Demin.
BYU got into the recruiting circle for Dybantsa when they offered him a scholarship at the end of May. From that point forward, Kevin Young and his staff made Dybantsa their top priority in the 2025 recruiting class.
Dybantsa took an unofficial visit in June, an official visit in October, and finally a game visit to the Marriott Center in November. BYU coaches frequently attended his Utah Prep games around the country.
BYU Head Coach Kevin Young said “We’re so excited to welcome AJ and his family to BYU,” said Young. “We’ve been able to build a great relationship with him and his family and can’t wait to have them all in BYU blue. AJ is a generational talent. He’s a great young man who has a strong appetite to be the best player he can be. His versatile skill set and playmaking will seamlessly fit into our style of play.”
Part of Dybansta reason why he is heading to Provo is Kevin Young. He is a former NBA assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers. He also has a staff of assistant coaches, support staff, trainers, and nutritionists with NBA backgrounds.
Dybantsa began training with LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Paul George and other NBA stars. He reclassified to the Class of 2025 and signed endorsement deals with Nike and Red Bull before transferring to Utah Prep from Prolific Prep this season.
He won Gatorade Player of the Year in Massachusetts in his freshman year in 2023. He was named the top freshman in the country by ESPN, averaging 19 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.5 blocks per game on 60.8 percent shooting from the field and 41 percent on 3-point attempts. Dybansta is projected to be the number one overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft.
