AJ Dybantsa knows his next team will be filled with young basketball stars.
The Utah Prep star — and that nation’s top-rated high school basketball recruit in the Class of 2025 — will suit up in the prestigious McDonald’s All-American Games on Tuesday in Brooklyn, New York.
After that, the 6-foot-9 star will shift his focus toward Provo, where the BYU Cougars and head coach Kevin Young are busy remaking their roster after losing to Alabama in the Sweet 16.
Former four-star recruits Kanon Catchings and Elijah Crawford have both reportedly entered the transfer portal. There are questions about the future of BYU guard Dallin Hall. Star guards Egor Demin and Richie Saunders, meanwhile, have yet to announce whether they’ll test the NBA waters or return to Provo to play with Dybantsa next season.
“I haven’t been in touch with him, but it would be cool to play with him,” Dybantsa said of Saunders. “What he does for BYU’s squad — I mean I’d definitely like to play with him. He’s going to do what best for him, but if he comes back I think we’d do something special.”
Demin, a potential lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, has said the possibility of teaming up with Dybantsa is intriguing.
“AJ is coming, and he could be one of the reasons why I want be back next year,” Demin said after the Cougars’ season ended last week.
Dybantsa will bring plenty of intrigue with him when he arrives on campus later this month.
Dybantsa is just the sixth BYU player to be a McDonald’s All-American, joining Garner Meads (2000), Shawn Bradley (1990), Michael Smith (1983), Greg Kite (1979) and Devin Durrant (1978).
The talented wing is the highest-rated recruit to ever sign with the Cougars — a decision he made with help from a massive name, image and likeness payday as well as the draw of playing for a former NBA coach in Young.
“There was just something about BYU,” he said, adding that Young’s work with NBA stars Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal appealed to him. “It’s just hard not to pick them if my dream is to go to the NBA.”
Dybantsa said he expects to enroll and be on campus April 29.
The Cougars will reportedly open their season on Nov. 3 when they take on Villanova in Las Vegas.
“I love the support already,” Dybantsa said of his interactions with BYU fans. “I’ve been to a couple of games. Just looking to put on a show for the Marriott Center.”
Utah’s other All-American
Wasatch Academy star Isiah Harwell joined Dybantsa on the podium during Monday’s media session in New York.
“So many high school basketball players play and only a few come here,” the All-American Harwell said. “Being able to be one of those 24 is a blessing.”
The 6-foot-6 guard from Pocatello, Idaho, has led the Mount Pleasant prep school to the Chipotle Nationals after recovering from an ACL injury a year ago.
“It feels good coming back,” he said. “It’s been along process. It hurt a lot — mentally-wise too — but I was able to get through it with the help of God and my family.”
The four-star recruit has committed to play for Kelvin Sampson and the Houston Cougars.
“He’s a great coach,” Harwell said. “He’s definitely going to get the most out of you. He’s never going to let you slack off. I think he’s the coach that’s going to prepare me to get to the league and stay in the league as well.”