Three delicious “nuggets” from AJ Dybantsa’s outstanding McDonald’s All-American performance

Last night, BYU commit AJ Dybantsa lit up the McDonald’s All-American game, validating his spot as the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2025. The 6-foot-9 phenom had 17 efficient points on 7-of-12 shooting with five rebounds and one assist in 24 minutes. Even while going up against the most elite players in the country, Dybantsa showed why he’s considered the best of the best. 

Since McDonald’s sponsored the event and few things in this world are as tasty as McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets – dipped in honey, of course – here are three “nuggets” from AJ’s performance at the All-American festivities. 

Nugget No. 1 - AJ plays smart, aggressive defense

Perhaps like many of you, as a BYU basketball fan I’ve seen most of the viral clips that emerge of the incredible things AJ Dybantsa can do with the ball in his hands. Most of these clips either show him driving down the lane for a thunderous dunk, or drilling a step-back 3-pointer. 

But watching Dybantsa play a full game like I did last night helped me appreciate something we don’t see in viral dunk highlights: His defense. 

First, credit goes to the players in the All-American game because they actually cared and played pretty good defense. This wasn’t the farce that is the NBA All-Star game. Generally solid defense was played on most possessions. But among all the players on the floor, AJ Dybantsa may have had the best defensive performance of the game. 

AJ was both aggressive and smart in how he defended. There were times when he picked up the opposing point guard full court, playing pretty much chest-to-chest defense the length of the court. He played a physical but controlled style of defense where he stuck to his man but didn’t reach and didn’t leave his feet. 

Additionally, Dybanta’s anticipation was outstanding. He has the ability to see where plays are going before they happen, and insert himself defensively. He tipped passes and disrupted passing lanes. 

AJ Dybantsa showed elite defensive skills last night. 

Nugget No. 2 - He finishes with strength and control

The first basket for AJ’s squad was Dybantsa getting loose in the paint, collecting a tipped pass under the hoop, and going straight up for a powerful dunk. 

The last basket for AJ’s team was Dybantsa getting an outlet pass and rumbling like a freight train for a spectacular coast-to-coast dunk. 

In addition to the dunks, there were multiple plays where AJ physically dominated his defender. When smaller guys switched on to him, he posted them up and called for the ball. When slower defenders rotated to him on the perimeter, he put his head down and drove past them, often creating contact. But even when absorbing contact, Dybantsa was still under control. He was able to manage getting off a good shot or making the right pass even when drawing contact. 

Nugget No. 3 - The camera loves him

By my estimation, the ESPN broadcast crew spoke about AJ Dybantsa more than any other player. They compared him to LeBron James and debated if Dybantsa would be drafted No. 1 over Duke’s Cooper Flagg if he was in this year’s NBA Draft. 

AJ’s dad even got a sideline interview during the broadcast. 

In the days leading up to the All-American game, AJ participated in a dunk contest in which he jumped over WNBA star Angel Reese. 

The attention AJ Dybansta is going to bring to BYU is going to be incredible. 

If BYU basketball was a McDonald’s menu item, AJ Dybantsa would be the Happy Meal. 

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