Go BYU: 5-Star Forward AJ Dybantsa Onyenso Chooses BYU basketball with Commitment Over LSU, Tennessee, Louisville, and Texas..

Go BYU: 5-Star Forward AJ Dybantsa Onyenso Chooses BYU basketball with Commitment Over LSU, Tennessee, Louisville, and Texas..

In a groundbreaking move that has sent ripples through the college basketball landscape, five-star forward AJ Dybantsa has committed to Brigham Young University (BYU), choosing the Cougars over a slew of prestigious programs including LSU, Tennessee, Louisville, and Texas. This decision marks a significant milestone for BYU, securing its first five-star recruit from the United States and underscoring the program’s ambitious aspirations under new head coach Kevin Young.

A Game-Changing Commitment

Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 wing from Utah Prep, is widely regarded as the consensus No. 1 recruit in the class of 2025 and a projected top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. His high school accolades include being named Massachusetts’ Gatorade Player of the Year in 2023 and earning gold medals with Team USA at the 2023 FIBA Americas U16 Championship and the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup

The allure of BYU was not solely based on basketball pedigree. Dybantsa was drawn to the program’s comprehensive NBA-level infrastructure. He highlighted the presence of NBA-trained staff across all facets of the program—from coaching to analytics to strength training—as pivotal in his decision-making process. “If it’s all NBA and I’m trying to get to the NBA, I think it’s going to be the best development program for me,” Dybantsa remarked during his commitment announcement on ESPN’s First Take

BYU’s Strategic Shift

The hiring of Kevin Young as head coach in April 2024 was a strategic move by BYU to enhance its basketball program’s appeal to elite recruits. Young, formerly the associate head coach of the Phoenix Suns, brings a wealth of NBA experience, having coached stars like Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. His vision is to transform BYU into a premier NBA development pipeline, a vision that Dybantsa found compelling

The NIL Factor

A significant factor in Dybantsa’s commitment was BYU’s unprecedented Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) offer. Reports indicate that the deal is valued between $5 million and $7 million, positioning Dybantsa among the highest-paid college athletes in history citeturn0news12. This substantial financial incentive underscores the evolving dynamics of college athletics and the increasing importance of NIL opportunities in recruitment.

Looking Ahead

Dybantsa’s arrival at BYU is expected to have an immediate impact on the program. His versatile skill set and playmaking abilities will complement a recruiting class that includes top-50 prospect Xavion Staton, a 7-foot center from Las Vegas, and Chamberlain Burgess, a 6-foot-9 four-star forward from American Fork, Utah . With Dybantsa leading the charge, BYU is poised to become a formidable force in college basketball, attracting further attention from elite recruits and NBA scouts alike.

In summary, AJ Dybantsa’s commitment to BYU represents a paradigm shift in college basketball recruitment, highlighting the growing influence of NIL deals and the strategic importance of NBA-level development programs. As Dybantsa prepares to don a BYU jersey, all eyes will be on Provo to witness the next chapter in his promising basketball journey.