AJ Dybantsa, the nation’s top basketball recruit, announced his commitment to BYU during a special segment on ESPN’s “First Take” with Stephen A. Smith Tuesday morning.
Dybantsa narrowed his choices to four schools which included BYU, Kansas, Alabama and North Carolina. BYU was the frontrunner over the blue bloods, however, with so many commit flips due to the impact of NIL, nobody knew what to expect as everything was kept under wraps until the reveal.
In the end, BYU secured the commitment from the No. 1 recruit in the nation, sending shockwaves throughout the college basketball landscape. It’s the most significant recruiting victory in program history, and gives the school its first-ever five-star high school basketball recruit.
Dybantsa is now just the eighth player to receive a perfect 1.000 composite grade, joining the likes of: LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Greg Oden, Andrew Wiggins, RJ Barrett, Chet Holmgren and Cooper Flagg (Duke 2024 commit). The composite is an overall rating for each recruit that combines the ratings from 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN.
BYU head coach Kevin Young secured Dybantsa’s pledge two weeks ago, but the official signing cemented the news, sparking a frenzy among fans and analysts alike.
Here’s how social media erupted following Dybantsa’s announcement:
AJ Dybantsa announces his commitment to BYU and explains his decision 🔥
"I play like a mix of Tracy McGrady and Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander]." 👀 pic.twitter.com/JIaymkr4Pz
— First Take (@FirstTake) December 10, 2024
.@PaulBiancardi weighs in on BYU commit AJ Dybantsa 👀 pic.twitter.com/NXfojmyevI
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) December 10, 2024
— BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) December 10, 2024
AJ Dybantsa – the top-ranked prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft class – has committed to Brigham Young University, he announces on ESPN's First Take. Landmark day for the BYU Cougars. pic.twitter.com/8qB64WqtIE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 10, 2024
AJ Dybansta — the top prospect in the 2025 class — has announced a commitment to BYU.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 10, 2024
NEWS: BYU—yes, B-Y-freaking-U—just got the No. 1 prospect. Massachusetts native AJ Dybantsa has committed to the Cougs. I'm told the NIL package is enormous, believed to be record-setting in this NIL era. Another factor: BYU's Kevin Young spent nearly a decade coaching in the NBA
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) December 10, 2024
We live in a world where BYU’s QB is Jewish and their basketball team just grabbed the number one basketball recruit.
I’m going to have to update my jokes, perhaps my entire worldview. WHAT IS HAPPENING
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) December 10, 2024
BYU has secured the commitment of No. 1 overall recruit AJ Dybantsa, who NBA executives are already eyeing for 2026.
Dybantsa is viewed as one of the best wing prospects over the last five years.
Jazz owner Ryan Smith and GM Danny Ainge, BYU alumni, played a role in NIL. pic.twitter.com/LfJE66sGAo
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) December 10, 2024
Wow. Good time to be visiting @BYUMBB tomorrow. Happy coaching staff and happy fan base. https://t.co/Uvo9zSmUNL
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) December 10, 2024
We just had a near sell-out of @KUHoops @DukeMBB in Las Vegas. Blue Devils & @BYUMBB in @TMobileArena is a no-brainer. Tickets will be hard to get in order to see Dybantsa vs. Boozer twins & Co. Shocked if this doesn’t happen.
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) December 10, 2024
AJ picked Brigham aka BYU cuz…. Number 1 he got THE BAG!!! 2. Kevin Young NBA coach got endorsed by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker!! 3. Play Big 12 Competition good to get NBA ready maybe arguably best basketball conference !! 4. Marriott Center most underrated basketball arena…
— Kyle Van Noy (@KVN_03) December 10, 2024
Expect #BYU to get a bunch of primetime TV spots next year. Perfect timing with the new Big 12 contract (FOX and TNT).
Can't wait for the BYU-Kansas matchups next year @jaylassoku. Nothing like potential Top 2 picks in 2026 NBA draft going at it. #GoCougs #CBB #BYUbasketball
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) December 10, 2024
There will be a lot of rumors today on AJ Dybantsa' NIL.
Remember:
1. Lots of these numbers are being leaked by staffs jealous they lost a recruit to… BYU.
2. What AJ will "make" is different than what *BYU* is paying (notice the Red Bull hat today?)
Worth noting
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) December 10, 2024
Heading to work while hearing the AJ news pic.twitter.com/y4ExZNEDuE
— Boney Fuller (@boneyfuller) December 10, 2024
Kevin Young and co. are the greatest recruiting staff in BYU history.
— Jarom Jordan (@jaromjordan) December 10, 2024
The Big12 now owns 10 of the Top 30 recruits in the class of 2025 ( with 6 still yet undecided)
Best basketball conference in the country. And it’s only getting better. pic.twitter.com/2pc8YoJySB
— Barstool Big12 (@BarstoolBig12) December 10, 2024
I was impressed when I met AJ and his parents during our tours of BYUtv. The first tour we did was just with his parents a couple months before they returned with AJ. I knew at the time they were taking a serious look at BYU. Today we found out just how serious they were.… https://t.co/yz5mhOhU3E
— Dave McCann (@DaveMcCannTV) December 10, 2024
Full news story on A.J. Dybantsa, the No. 1 prospect in the country and a potential No. 1 pick, committing to BYU.
"Coach Young's NBA background played a big factor in my decision … The goal is to win a national championship."
With @PaulBiancardi:https://t.co/omB4CUrY2b
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) December 10, 2024
AJ Dybantsa might be the most gifted wing scorer in college since Kevin Durant. Can’t wait to see how Kevin Young features him. A lot of Tracy McGrady to his game. pic.twitter.com/J7uD81bWf1
— Robby McCombs (@rtmccombs) December 10, 2024
AJ joins Xavion Staton and Chamberlain Burgess in BYU's recruiting class. A pair of four-star dudes (one of whom is arguably the best rim protector in his class) to go with the top overall player in the class. pic.twitter.com/E1VTM6V0V3
— Jeff Hansen (@rakoto10) December 10, 2024
✅ AJ Dybansta ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
❔Ryder Lyons ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You know the move @ryderly0ns 🤙 pic.twitter.com/fqUFGrYYSJ
— Salani Kitake (@UpdateBYUHC) December 10, 2024
AJ Dybantsa when Stephen A. Smith questioned why he chose BYU pic.twitter.com/1werzvITJU
— Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) December 10, 2024
He’s been committed for 2 weeks. lol. #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/brfWzfmY2t
— Shad (@shad427) December 10, 2024
On the realities of recruiting in this modern era and how BYU got it done.
📝 https://t.co/7R0qboKz73
📺 https://t.co/qs3h1SKMyB pic.twitter.com/bkEphauqyn— Adam Finkelstein (@AdamFinkelstein) December 10, 2024
I knew our chances were pretty good when I saw this – pic.twitter.com/Gy7tcUAgbv
— ƃuoɹʇsɯɹɐ uǝq (@dryflyelk) December 10, 2024
AJ Dybantsa, the Five-Star Recruit and No. 1 NBA Prospect, has done more, save Jimmer only, for the salvation of BYU Sports than any other man that ever played for it.
(That's my entry in the "You've gone too far" BYU comparison contest.) https://t.co/N5YKALTCnR
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) December 10, 2024
I've said it before, but it's important to say it again today:
As bizarre as it is for BYU to get the #1 player in any class, it's even more so with AJ Dybantsa. He has the potential to be a *generational* player, not just your average #1.
To have *THAT* in Provo is CRAZY.
— Steve Pierce (@PostJimmer) December 10, 2024
BYU is establishing itself as the best place to go one and done.
– NBA Staff
– None of the typical college distractions, so you can maximize the time to hone your skills
– Parents can trust that the people running things care about the whole individualOur past weaknesses have…
— Matt Hopkins (@matthopkins_) December 10, 2024
BYU fans: You are watching a generational-level basketball prospect repping BYU gear on a nationally-televised ESPN program. What a moment
— Brandon Gurney (@BrandonCGurney) December 10, 2024
University of Utah sports may never recover after today
— Kyle Collinsworth (@collinsworth55) December 11, 2024
— Dallin ⛽️ (@DallinwBYU) December 10, 2024
I now understand why Utah was so adamant about BYU never being in a power conference.
— Some.BYU.Dude (@ByuSome) December 10, 2024
It's official.
AJ Dybantsa, the number one player in America, is coming to @BYUMBB. pic.twitter.com/vmpV9u26xm
— BYUtv Sports Nation (@BYUSportsNation) December 10, 2024
Welcome my guy @ADybantsa pic.twitter.com/aC3a5aOMSX
— Brandon Dunson (@BMDunson) December 10, 2024
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