AJ Dybantsa, a five-star recruit out of high school who is projected to be an NBA star, joined coach Kevin Young and other BYU players for Big 12 Basketball Media Days in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday.
Dybantsa, the 18-year-old from Brockton, Massachusetts, has been the talk of the town in Provo ever since he announced his commitment to BYU in December of 2024. After playing for Utah Prep high school and winning 3 gold medals for team USA, he decided to bring his talents to Provo and join the BYU Cougars.
"Everyone has a lot of big expectations for me, but my main thing is to win. To win the Big 12, to win the national title, it hasn't been done before here," said Dybantsa in an interview with Chancellor Johnson.
BYU basketball is in a peak state of excitement right now, as Young has added elite talent to this loaded roster from last year. The Cougars made it to the Sweet Sixteen and ended the 2024-25 season ranked No. 13 in the AP poll.
With additions such as Dybantsa, Rob Wright III, Nate Pickens and Kennard Davis Jr, Young has built up an elite roster that has earned a No. 8 spot in the 2025-26 preseason AP poll rankings.
"He's extremely coachable. He's different than a lot of other younger guys," Young said when asked about AJ and how he hits on this BYU roster.
"I'm one of the most versatile players in the country. If I was a GM, I'd draft myself, but it's all about the fit. It's all about the right feeling," said Dybantsa when asked about his potential to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft.
This team has high anticipation for this upcoming season, and the Cougars look to face UNC in an exhibition game Friday at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City at 7 p.m.
