A.J. Dybantsa, the Class of 2025’s premier recruit and a strong contender for the No. 1 overall selection in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft, has officially committed to BYU.
Standing at 6-foot-9, this forward announced his decision on Tuesday, choosing the Cougars over other prestigious programs like Alabama, North Carolina, and Kansas. Dybantsa’s commitment marks a historic moment for BYU, as he becomes the first five-star recruit in the school’s history, according to 247 Sports. His choice was significantly influenced by first-year head coach Kevin Young’s extensive NBA experience.
“At BYU, the entire coaching staff has NBA backgrounds,” Dybantsa shared with ESPN. “Coach Young coached my favorite player, Kevin Durant, and also worked with Devin Booker. They both had great things to say about him, and we reviewed clips of their games together.”
“Coach Young’s NBA experience was a major factor in my decision. He has coached NBA talent, and that brings me closer to my aspirations,” he added.
In conjunction with his commitment, Dybantsa secured a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal valued at around $7 million, as reported by college basketball insider Adam Zagoria. For context, Duke’s Cooper Flagg is noted to have the highest NIL valuation among current men’s college basketball players at $2.9 million, according to On3.
A native of Massachusetts, Dybantsa recently relocated to Utah to complete his senior year at Utah Prep for the 2024-25 season. He previously showcased his skills at Saint Sebastian’s School in Massachusetts and Prolific Prep in California, earning the Massachusetts Boys’ Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year award during his freshman year.
Dybantsa’s breakout moment came at the Nike Peach Jam in July 2023, where he led the scoring charts with an impressive average of 25.8 points per game. He later reclassified from the Class of 2026 to 2025, further solidifying his status as a top prospect. In this year’s Peach Jam, he maintained a strong performance, averaging 23.1 points per game and helping his team, the Oakland Soldiers, reach the championship game.
Dybantsa’s arrival comes at a pivotal time for BYU, which has recently undergone significant changes. After Mark Pope’s departure to Kentucky, the Cougars hired Kevin Young, a former Phoenix Suns assistant coach, to lead the program. Under Young’s direction, BYU has started the season with a 6-2 record, and his inaugural recruiting class is currently ranked 11th by 247 Sports.
“I’m thrilled to finally announce my commitment,” Dybantsa expressed to 247 Sports. “During my visit, everyone at BYU was chanting my name, and I believe they will be excited about my decision. I’m ready to officially become a Cougar.”
