The No. 1 prospect in high school basketball is off the board — and he’s going to BYU.
AJ Dibensawho is also a heavy favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Chose the Cougars Above Alabama, North Carolina and Kansas. Despite Dybantsa’s high-profile status and going against powerhouse program BYU, there has been relatively little drama surrounding his recruitment over the past few months. The Cougars emerged as favorites over the summer and made a late push from the competition to meet Dybantsa’s commitment.
He becomes the first five-star prospect to commit to BYU since the ESPN recruiting database began in 2007, and his commitment puts the Cougars in the top 10 in the 2025 recruiting class rankings.
How did the nation’s top player end up in Provo, Utah? And what makes him so interesting to NBA front offices?
ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, Paul Biancardi and Jonathan Givony discuss Dybantsa’s game, his impact at the next level and what his commitment means to the schools involved.
Why BYU?
Dybansa was a priority target for BYU coach Kevin Young and his staff almost immediately after Young was hired in the spring. Young met with Debensa’s parents a few weeks after taking the job, then welcomed Debensa on a visit in early June. Young’s experience on an NBA staff was attractive to DiBansa, as was his work with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
It would also be naive to downplay the character’s name, image and likeness in securing Dybantsa’s affiliation. He would have made several million over any of his finalists, but BYU’s pockets are as deep as anyone’s — and Young didn’t hide it when he got the job in April, saying “so many Things won’t happen that have us back here… I haven’t heard too many ‘no’s.’
But Dybantsa doesn’t make BYU a national championship contender by himself — Young and his staff now have to go out and surround Dybantsa with enough talent to make sure he doesn’t have a wasted year in Provo. The Cougars will lose four seniors from this year’s team, and they will also likely say goodbye to a projected lottery pick. Igor Damon And possibly a first-round pick Canon Catchings.
Top 50 Recruitment Xavion Staton is a start. He should make an immediate impact at defensive end and provide interior depth. The starters Richie Sanders, Dylan Hall And Kiba did Everyone has to come back. Beyond that, BYU will have to go big in the spring, whether it’s in the transfer portal, internationally or with available high school prospects. It’s promising that Young and his staff were able to land Damon and Catchings last offseason in May and June, respectively. — Borzello
BREAKING: AJ Dybansa, the No. 1 prospect in high school basketball, has announced his commitment to BYU @FirstTake. Dybantsa becomes the Cougars’ first five-star recruit in the modern recruiting era. He chose Kevin Young and BYU over Alabama, North Carolina and Kansas. pic.twitter.com/Ku2uoyidlD
— Jeff Borzello (@JeffBorzello) December 10, 2024
How does Dybantsa fit into BYU’s system?
Dybantsa’s versatility fits perfectly with Young’s NBA-oriented scheme. The Cougars run a five-out offense that should get plenty of looks from the rim and beyond the arc, where Dybantsa has improved this season. Young coached Kevin Durant and Devin Booker as assistants with the Phoenix Suns, so he understands how to add to the middle game elite — keep in mind that Dybantsa is BYU’s quick hitters and half court. has lived with great success in the midrange with operations. Dibansa is a terrorist who leads the break in the open court and in two-man games in the half court. At 6-foot-9 with great vertical and energy, expect him to be a multiple-position switch defender and make some highlight-reel defensive efforts.
The youngsters can surround Dybansa with the right pieces for success: big man Keba Keita will return and free Dybantsa from tight screens on and off the ball. Junior Dylan Hall will be the primary point guard and assist maker, and 3-point shooter Richie Saunders (39.5%) also returns. Philo committed to Xavion Staton, an ESPN 100 recruit who is one of the nation’s best shot blockers, and a four-star prospect. Chamberlain Burgess It will help to connect things. — Biancardi
What makes Dybantsa the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft?
Every NBA team is looking for a wing in Dybantsa’s mold: a 6-9, long-armed primary shot creator who scores consistently from isos, pick-and-rolls and transition. Can make high-level playmaking reads. And brings non-stop intensity defensively.
He has superb footwork, body control and pace beyond the triple threat, changes pace expertly with long runs, creative finishing in the lane. do, often looking for contact and fouling their flags wherever they play.
The NBA likes his archetype a lot, and that’s why he’s the favorite to go No. 1 right now. That said, it’s by no means a done deal, and there will be significant competition from its likes. Darren Peterson And Cameron Bowser That spot will require him to earn that mantle with a productive season at BYU. –Givoni
What does the NBA want to see from him in college?
A win would be a great start — showing he can be the focal point of a BYU team that goes deep into the NCAA Tournament. Finding some consistency with his perimeter shooting, shot selection and decision-making will also go a long way.
His hunger to score and bully-ball style (not always incredibly aesthetically pleasing) have affected his performances in the past. It will be interesting to see which version of him we get in college: the ball-stopping, sometimes wild decision-maker who has historically been very strong from beyond the arc (30%), or the more controlled, extreme The team oriented player we saw with USA Basketball. That version of Dybantsa was usually unstoppable at the FIBA U17 World Cup this past summer.
He’s going to coach at BYU, while being given a long leash to explore the depths of his abilities, and I expect him to have a great season and floor within that structure. will make enough progress on both ends of what he will be asked to do. I to play. –Givoni
What’s next for the teams that lose Dybansa?
There was a brief pause over the weekend when it looked like a school other than BYU — considered the favorite since the summer — might get Dybansa with him. Alabama Crimson Tide Generating plenty of buzz of late and North Carolina Tar Heels hanging around. But both teams fell short, so where do they turn?
Alabama loses at least five seniors — including three starters — and freshmen Darion Reed The NBA may also test the draft waters. The Crimson Tide already has a top 25 recruit. Devin Hannah in the fold, and their top targets remain five-star guards. Michael Brown Jr. And Braden Berries.
Depending on how the rest of his season goes, North Carolina could have a lot of moving parts at the end of the campaign. But one big fish remains on the Tar Heels’ target board: the elite forward Caleb Wilson. A decision can’t be too far off, and they’re at the top of his list.
gave Kansas Jayhawks It never seemed like Dybantsa had much of a shot down the stretch, and the Jayhawks already have No. 2 overall recruit Darren Patterson signed for 2025. AJ Store And Raylan Griffin The wings are also designed to retract, which means the self can be stored well on the frame before the portal opens. — Borzello