Is AJ Dybantsa LDS? Explaining BYU star's relationship with Mormon church in college

AJ Dybantsa broke the mold by committing to BYU. After an era in which Kentucky, Duke and Kansas were among the programs that dominated the top of the recruiting boards, the Cougars sent shockwaves throughout the sport by landing a player many believe was one of the most talented prep prospects of this era.

There is reason to believe Dybantsa won't be the last to choose BYU. The school has positioned itself as a national contender in both football and basketball in this new era of college sports, where resources matter just as much as anything else.

At the same time, BYU doesn't plan to abandon its founding mission to serve as the flagship university for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), or the Mormon church. 

Here's what you need to know about Dybantsa's religious affiliation and whether students have to be Mormon to attend BYU.

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Is AJ Dybantsa LDS?

Dybantsa is not Mormon, according to Deseret News, despite attending a university founded to serve as an education system for young LDS members.

The BYU star wasn't born or raised in Utah. Dybantsa was born in Boston and grew up in nearby Brockton, but his high school journey took him to California and finally Utah Prep Academy as he became a can't-miss prospect. 

Why did Dybantsa choose BYU? "There were a lot of pillars for me. Obviously, my main goal is to go to the NBA and I wanted the closest thing to an NBA playing style, the closest thing to an NBA coach," Dybantsa told ESPN in 2025. "But there was a family aspect that went into it. It felt like home when I was here on my visit. I was like, 'I can't not come here.'"

Of course, money is a factor as well. Dybantsa reportedly makes a significant dollar from NIL money, and BYU has become a basketball haven over the last two years because the school has so many resources. Dybantsa might be the first recruit of his caliber to play in Provo, but he likely won't be the last. BYU already secured a commitment from five-star 2026 prospect Bruce Branch III.

BYU has had its share of prominent athletes both in basketball and football, but most were LDS members, Some, including Taysom Hill, even served missions. Former BYU QB Zach Wilson earned the nickname "Mormon Manziel," though he told Desert News he didn't grow up active in the church despite confirming he was an LDS member.

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AJ Dybantsa religion

Dybantsa's religion is unclear, though students are required to be religiously active to attend BYU even if they are not LDS members. Dybantsa started his high school days at Saint Sebastian's School, a Catholic school in Massachusetts.

Dybantsa told Desert News in November that he was taking a religion class in-person as part of his studies. "I’m taking Mission Prep — it’s like Religion 101," he said, describing a class that intends to educate students on how to serve out Mormon missions. In the spring semester, Dybantsa revealed his favorite class was called Book of Mormon.

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

The Mormon Church is officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). LDS was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830.

Despite being headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, today, LDS was founded in New York. The religion has an estimated 6.9 million members in the United States and 32,000 congregations, plus another 10 million members worldwide.

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Why is BYU a Mormon school?

BYU was founded by Brigham Young, the second LDS president. Young wanted to establish a school in Provo for young Mormon students and broke off part of the University of Desert to form Brigham Young Academy.

Brigham Young Academy would evolve into Brigham Young University (BYU), and the school remains LDS' flagship university.

Do you have to be Mormon to go to BYU?

Students do not have to be Mormon to attend BYU, but they must be religiously active and receive an endorsement from a leader of their own religion when applying to the school. The vast majority of BYU's students are LDS members. 

All students, even those who aren't Mormon, must follow the school's honor code, which includes standards for dress and grooming, avoiding alcohol or drugs and  abstaining from extramarital sex. Students also must take a certain number of religious classes to graduate.

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