In Provo, Utah, a significant event has taken place in the world of college basketball. AJ Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 wing hailing from Brockton, Massachusetts and currently playing his final high school basketball season at Utah Prep in Hurricane, has made a decision that will shape his future. He has committed to continue his basketball career with BYU.

Boom! AJ Dybantsa Joins BYU Basketball

AJ Dybantsa, the highly touted nation's No. 1 basketball recruit in the class of 2025, has officially pledged his allegiance to #BYU. This announcement came during a nationally televised appearance on ESPN's “First Take.” The No. 1 prospect in 2025 chose BYU over a final four of prestigious programs including Alabama, Kansas, and North Carolina. This marks a significant milestone for BYU basketball as it secures one of the most promising talents in recent years.Dybantsa's recruitment with BYU heated up in the spring. The Cougars offered him a scholarship at the end of May, and from that point forward, Kevin Young and his staff made him 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 were frequently in attendance at his Utah Prep games around the country.In August, Dybantsa led Utah Prep to a title in the Shanghai Future Star Basketball Championship against the China National Team. In that game, he showcased his exceptional skills, scoring 32 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and dishing out four assists and four steals.Last month, he earned MVP honors in a Hoopfest game with Utah Prep against a nationally ranked Link Academy, scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds. These performances have solidified his status as a top-tier recruit and have drawn the attention of basketball fans across the nation.

Potential NBA Draft Stardom

Throughout his recruitment, Dybantsa has made it clear that he intends to be a one-and-done prospect at the college he chooses. He is projected as a potential No. 1 NBA draft pick in the 2026 Draft. Landing Dybantsa gives BYU a generational prospect that has put the Cougars into the national conversation in college hoops.Kevin Young, the BYU basketball head coach, is a former NBA assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers. He has assembled a staff of assistant coaches, support staff, trainers, and nutritionists with NBA backgrounds. This expertise in the NBA realm provides Dybantsa with a unique opportunity to develop his skills and prepare for a potential professional career.“As one of the things that I think is unique about us is the stuff that we’re talking to recruits and their parents about; it’s not hypothetical,” Young said in November on his pitch to recruits. “I’ve done it at the NBA level. Where these guys are trying to get to, I’ve been there. I’ve lived that life, and I’ve brought a lot of people here on our staff who have also lived that life.“So when we talk about a strength and conditioning program, it’s not hypothetical. We talk about a nutrition plan for someone to grow their body; it’s not hypothetical. Player development on the court, we’ve got multiple guys who were G-League head coaches. Again, it’s not hypothetical.”

A Strong Recruiting Class

Dybantsa was initially set to be part of the class of 2026 until he reclassified in the fall of 2023. Since then, he has quickly emerged as the nation's No. 1 prospect for the class of 2025. The superstar prospect turns 18 years old next month.In the 247Sports Composite ratings, Dybantsa is the only player in the class of 2025 with a perfect 1.0000 rating. He joins a strong BYU basketball recruiting class for 2025 that already includes a 7-foot four-star center Xavion Staton from Las Vegas and a Top-125 prospect Chamberlain Burgess from Orem High School. This combination of talent gives BYU a promising future in college basketball.Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.Take us with you wherever you go. Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. It allows you to stream live radio and video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams. Follow @Mitch_Harper.