KANSAS CITY, Mo. — BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa set a Big 12 tournament record Tuesday, scoring 40 points — the most ever by a freshman in a tournament game — as the Cougars defeated Kansas State 105–91 in their postseason debut.
“Today I was just trying to focus on the win, whatever it took,” Dybantsa said.
The arena featured a strong BYU presence as the Cougars opened their first Big 12 Tournament appearance. At times, a quick pan across the stands made it hard to believe the Cougars weren’t playing in Provo.
Fans filled much of the lower bowl, and the team warmed up in shirts reading “Lock It In,” a reference to its postseason focus. That emphasis became evident early as Dybantsa took on a central role in BYU’s approach on both ends of the floor.
The performance came just one day after Dybantsa was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year, an honor many around the league believed could have extended to the conference’s top overall award. His name surfaced repeatedly during the Big 12 commissioner’s annual press conference, where he received notable praise for his impact as a freshman.
From the opening minutes, Kansas State was forced to adjust to Dybantsa’s activity. He drew double‑teams, attacked the paint and created scoring opportunities for himself and others. BYU built a brief lead midway through the first half before Kansas State responded, keeping the game within a possession for most of the period. Dybantsa closed the half with a dunk in the final seconds, giving BYU a 50–49 lead at the break.
The second half opened with two quick 3‑pointers from freshman guard Aleksej Kostić, but the offensive rhythm continued to run through Dybantsa. He scored from multiple areas on the floor — mid‑range jumpers, drives to the rim, transition finishes — and drew several key fouls as BYU created separation.
“It was a full display of his skill set,” BYU coach Kevin Young said. “He was scoring in the post, in transition, in pick‑and‑roll, in isolations. He made good passes out of the post and out of pick‑and‑rolls. It was one of his most complete performances.”
Kansas State remained within reach until later in the second half, but BYU extended its lead as Dybantsa continued to convert at the rim and from the perimeter. His ability to score through contact and handle defensive pressure allowed BYU to maintain control as the Wildcats attempted to counter.
Dybantsa finished 15 of 21 from the field, 2 of 6 from three‑point range and 8 of 9 at the free‑throw line, adding nine rebounds. His 40‑point performance surpassed the previous Big 12 tournament freshman scoring record held by Kevin Durant.
Beyond the scoreboard, Dybantsa’s performance underscored how quickly he has become central to BYU’s postseason identity. Kansas State was forced to adjust frequently, and those reactions opened space for BYU’s supporting cast.
His ability to score in multiple ways — at the rim, in transition, off ball screens and in isolation — gave BYU options it hasn’t always had since the injury to Richie Saunders.
With Saunders — who accounted for roughly 20% of BYU’s offense — sidelined, the Cougars have had to redistribute a significant portion of their scoring load. Dybantsa helped fill that gap, drawing defenders into the paint, generating fouls and creating opportunities that allowed BYU to regain an offensive rhythm it had been missing in recent games.
The win advances BYU to the next round of the Big 12 Tournament, where Dybantsa’s usage and production will likely remain central to the Cougars’ game plan when they take on West Virginia.