The long-awaited day is here; the day when AJ Dybantsa, the top player in the 2025 recruiting class, announces his collegiate commitment. In an unexpected turn for most, Kevin Young and the BYU Cougars jumped out to an early lead to secure a year with Dybantsa's talent.
But even when commitment seemed likely, the nagging voice of doubt inevitably crept into the subconscious of every Cougar fan. "What if he flips?" "Why would he bother with BYU?" "No player like this has ever gone to BYU for any reason."
This morning on ESPN First Take, the 6-foot-9 senior shared his decision with a national audience. After narrowing his options to four potential landing spots, the 5-Star wing finally announced his decision. AJ Dybantsa has committed to Brigham Young University.
NEWS: 5⭐️ AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 overall recruit in the country, has committed to BYU, source tells @On3Recruits.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) December 10, 2024
The 6-9 small forward chose the Cougars over North Carolina, Kansas, and Alabama.https://t.co/0578XoFy8h pic.twitter.com/0m3xnd3WLn
I screamed in my car when I heard the news, and it's a miracle I didn't fly off the road from my uncontainable glee. The best player in the country, and likely number-one pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, will play basketball in the Marriott Center on the Provo campus of Brigham Young University.
Pop open the sparkling cider and shout it from the rooftops: AJ Dybantsa is a BYU Cougar.
The First Take panel was shocked, as we all expected. Stephen A. Smith, always the basketball expert, shared his disbelief over AJ's announcement. He cited the ACC and UNC-Duke rivalry as the main reasons he expected an announcement to North Carolina. Frankly, any school other than BYU would make more sense to the panelists on ESPN.
Stephen A. Smith can’t believe AJ Dybantsa is going to BYU.
— Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) December 10, 2024
AJ: “who said I can’t play Duke at BYU?”
This dude is already a Cougars legend. pic.twitter.com/9AFdPrYG8n
AJ understands what the casual fan does not--Kevin Young is establishing an NBA pipeline that runs directly through Provo, Utah. With his NBA experience and NBA-caliber staff, dieticians, and facilities, Coach Young understands what it takes for players on Dybantsa's level to magnify their talents for the highest level of basketball, and AJ agreed that BYU is the place to prepare himself.
Coach Young coached Kevin Durant, Dybantsa's favorite player, during his time with the Phoenix Suns, and his insight into the All-Star's habits and routine captivated the young wing from Brockton, MA. Dybantsa described his style of play as a mix of Tracy McGrady and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and explained that his goal at BYU is to win a national championship.
The expectations for this era of BYU basketball should break the Cougars onto the national scene. The future is bright, and the present is a time for celebration.