AJ Dybantsa building chemistry with future BYU teammate, says goal is to reach Final Four
By ALEJANDRO LOPEZ
NEWARK, N.J.— BYU commit AJ Dybantsa has his sights set on the Final Four next season in his one-and-done season at the school.
The No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2025 and the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft spoke candidly after pouring in 41 points in Utah Prep’s 97-71 rout of Western Reserve Academy (OH) on Saturday at the Iverson Classic Signature Series in New Jersey.
“We just want to make a Final Four run and hopefully win a championship,” Dybantsa, who signed with BYU in December on a massive NIL deal, told ZAGSBLOG in an exclusive intervew.
With fellow BYU commit Xavion Staton’s recent transfer to Utah Prep, the two have gotten a head start at building the chemistry needed to make that happen.
AJ DYBANTSA JUST WENT OFF FOR 41 POINTS @iversonclassic @ADybantsa pic.twitter.com/2V0XIeR4vR
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) January 11, 2025
“I was able to come over here and just be able to build that relationship,” the 6-foot-11 Staton, a four-star prospect told ZAGSBLOG. “Overall, we are going to go into next year shocking the world. We are going to make a run and we are going to hopefully win the Natty.”
BYU head coach Kevin Young spoke recently about the development of the two prospects alongside each other.
“I think it’s good for Zay because the level of competition they’ll play against will be good for him,” Young told KSL.com. “I think the chemistry between those two definitely helps more than it hurts.”
Dybantsa, who scored 31 points in Friday night’s win over The Patrick School, showed off all the versatility necessary to impact the game at the next level. He showcased his shooting, handling, defense, and of course, occasionally rocked both the rim and the crowd during his two-day stint in the Garden State. He scored 72 points in two games in New Jersey.
Of course, all of these skills belong to someone boasting a 6-9 frame, tremendous athleticism and a desire to work relentlessly on his game.
AJ Dybantsa got 72 POINTS in his last two games @ADybantsa @iversonclassic
— Overtime (@overtime) January 11, 2025
Saturday: 41 PTS
Friday: 31 PTS pic.twitter.com/Arcvy3nVkM
New Utah Prep coach Collin Terry is a former BYU assistant and believes Dybantsa and Staton can complement one another next season. He was coaching the team for the first time this weekend after taking over for Justin Yamzon.
“They’re able to guard multiple positions, play multiple positions, (with) elite athleticism and length,” Terry told ZAGSBLOG “Very translatable to the next level. I was an assistant at BYU so I know a little bit about that program and I think the biggest thing is defensive presence.”
Of course, as Rutgers is showing this year, the presence of multiple NBA Draft picks is no guarantee of an NCAA Tournament bid.
BYU is getting at least one in Dybantsa, and his goal is take the Cougars deep in March a year from now.
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