09-05-2025
No. 1 College Basketball Recruit AJ Dybantsa Announces New NIL Deal
AJ Dybantsa passed up offers from several major blueblood programs to join BYU under new head coach Kevin Young.
Now, the top college basketball recruit in the nation is getting comfortable in Provo as he prepares for his first season with the Cougars this fall.
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When he's not on the court, Dybantsa has been making appearances and connecting with fans. He's expected to become one of the top NIL earners in college sports.
Recently, he showed up working at a local McDonald's, greeting customers in the drive-thru and handing out orders. He shared the moment on social media with the caption:
"AJ x McDonald's new side quest unlocked"
AJ Dybantsa, Dybantsa, Instagram
Dybantsa joins BYU from Utah Prep in Hurricane, Utah, after stints at Saint Sebastian's (Mass.), Prolific Prep (Calif.) and finally Utah, where he reunited with top 2025 point guard JJ Mandaquit.
Though he could've played another year of high school basketball, Dybantsa reclassified in October to join the class of 2025.
AJ Dybantsa, including Brigham Young Cougars freshman. AJ Dybantsa/Instagram
The 6-foot-7 forward earned a gold medal with Team USA at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship in Mexico. He scored 12 points in the gold medal game and averaged 13.8 points per game during the tournament.
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At BYU, Dybantsa will play for Kevin Young, who brings NBA coaching experience from stints with the 76ers and Suns. Young has said he wants to turn BYU into an 'NBA factory,' making this a valuable opportunity for both coach and player. While many expect Dybantsa to play only one season in Provo, his development under Young's NBA-style system will be closely watched.
In his first season as BYU's head coach, Young led the Cougars to a 26-10 record. Their NCAA Tournament run ended in the Sweet 16, where they lost to Alabama after giving up 113 points.
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