Video: AJ Dybantsa, No. 1 CBB Recruit, Courtside for LeBron, Lakers vs. Durant, Suns
Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIOctober 26, 2024
ALTAN GOCHER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images
AJ Dybantsa, the class of 2025’s consensus No. 1 overall men’s high school basketball prospect, is courtside for the Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers game on Friday evening.
Dybantsa was seen talking to Suns guards Devin Booker and Bradley Beal and Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell.
SportsCenter NEXT @SCNextAJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 ranked basketball recruit on ESPN’s 2025 list, taking it all in courtside at Suns-Lakers 🤝 pic.twitter.com/PtkbKVJHr9
The 6’9″, 210-pound forward, who attends Utah Prep in Hurricane, Utah, has received 29 offers and made visits BYU, Alabama, North Carolina, Kansas, Kansas State, Auburn and USC, per 247Sports.
Dybantsa just starred in the Border League, a showcase for the United States’ top high school talents and teams. He finished as the event’s MVP after leading Utah Prep to a 3-0 record.
The Circuit @TheCircuitAJ Dybantsa is your 2024 Border League MVP 👑
Averages ➡️ 22.0 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 3.7 APG (3-0)
✅ 18 PTS, 16 REB, 4 AST
✅ 20 PTS, 12 REB, 5 AST
✅ 28 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST@ADybantsa | @UtahPrepBBall
🎥 @AthleteAIApp @brdrleague pic.twitter.com/txBar40UCb
The 28-point game was against Columbus High School, current home of No. 2 recruit Cameron Boozer and No. 21 recruit Cayden Boozer (per 247Sports).
Overtime @overtimeAJ Dybantsa LEGACY GAME vs the Boozer Twins 🔥 @brdrleague
28 PTS | 5 3PM | 4 REB | 10/20 FG pic.twitter.com/RakaJrEJLa
Dybantsa may be sitting courtside at an NBA game now, but he could very well be playing professionally in two years as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft.
In the interim, he has one year left of high school and (presumably) one season of college before the pros call his name. Understandably, he’s the hottest recruit in his class, with BYU potentially prepared to offer a $4.5 million NIL package, per Pete Nakos of On3.
Pete Nakos @PeteNakos_Multiple sources tell @On3sports that No. 1 recruit AJ Dybantsa is expected to land an NIL package north of $3M and could get as high as $4M.
A source close to BYU said, “4 to $4.5 million is what they are prepared to pay.”
More: https://t.co/C5kyg92zQV pic.twitter.com/YrfXsECWVo
For now, Dybantsa should continue his dominance on the prep level. If his early returns are any indication, he’s about to enjoy a fantastic season.
