AJ Dybantsa commits to BYU, becomes school's first 5-star recruit in US
AJ Dybantsa has announced his commitment to BYU
PROVO, Utah (AP) — AJ Dybantsa, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft, announced his commitment to BYU on Tuesday.
Dybantsa, who made the announcement on ESPN’s “First Take," chose the Cougars over Alabama, North Carolina and Kansas. He is BYU’s first five-star high school recruit from the United States.
The chance to play for first-year BYU coach Kevin Young sold Dybantsa on joining the Cougars. He pointed to the extensive NBA experience of Young and his staff and Young’s role in coaching NBA stars like Kevin Durant and Devin Booker as key factors influencing his decision.
“My ultimate goal is to get to the NBA,” Dybantsa said on the program. “I went on my visit and the head coach all the way down to the analytics guy and analytics guy all the way down to the dietician is NBA staff. Even the strength coach. If it’s all NBA and I’m trying to get to the NBA, I think it’s going to be the best development program for me.”
