BYU's top program recruit AJ Dybantsa garners comparison to 12-time NBA All-Defensive player

Basketball season is still a few months away, but summer is when a program begins building chemistry among its players. This period is crucial, especially in today’s game where the transfer portal plays such a significant role. For many programs, the summer can be a make-or-break point for the upcoming season.

At BYU, all eyes are on AJ Dybantsa, who is expected to be an absolute freak of nature on the court. The five-star recruit is projected to be a one-and-done player—similar to Egor Demin, who nearly returned to BYU to team up with Dybantsa.

“As you know, AJ is coming, and he could be one of the reasons why I want to be back next year. My decision earlier in the summer to come here wasn’t a mistake at all,” Demin told the media.

First-year head coach Kevin Young promised to develop players into NBA talent, and he delivered in year one—already showing strong progress heading into year two.

“Young wasn’t kidding around. Everything BYU has done since his hiring has supported his vision of filling the program with elite talent capable of playing deep into the NCAA Tournament. There is a strong alignment between Young and his staff, BYU administration and the school’s boosters, who have all proven fully invested in elevating the Cougars into a perennial power within the sport,” Jackson Payne wrote.

Young is off to an impressive start as head coach, having already landed the highest-rated recruit in school history. Dybantsa is drawing comparisons to Kevin Garnett.

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“I’ll try to create a visual for BYUMBB fans for what to expect from AJ Dybantsa after watching him all week at usabjnt Under 19 practices. Best description is that if Kevin Garnett came back as a small forward with his intensity, athleticism & his team-first style, that’s who the Cougars have,” ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla wrote.

Dybantsa is such a highly touted prospect that his NIL valuation is already $4 million—before playing a single college game. If he continues to develop and impress, he could truly be the next version of Garnett.