AJ Dybantsa’s Two Gears: From Unselfish Facilitator to Relentless Closer, BYU’s Star Freshman is Turning Heads
There’s AJ Dybantsa, the composed, team-first freshman who plays within the flow, makes the right pass, and locks in on defense. Then there’s that AJ Dybantsa - the one who flips the switch, gets that look in his eye, and suddenly becomes the most unstoppable player on the floor.
For No. 10 BYU, both versions of Dybantsa are essential.
But it’s that second gear - the one that scorches defenses and ignites comebacks - that’s starting to shake up the college basketball world.
We saw the first version of Dybantsa this summer, when he helped lead Team USA to a title at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup. He played a supporting role with grace, sharing the spotlight with stars like Arizona-bound Koa Peat.
He defended, facilitated, got to the line when needed, and helped his team stay undefeated. That was AJ the connector - calm, calculated, unselfish.
But when BYU needed a spark last week at Madison Square Garden, trailing by 22 to No. 23 Clemson in the Jimmy V Classic, it was the other Dybantsa who showed up. The one who takes over games.
And when that version of him arrives, good luck stopping it.
The Clemson Comeback: A Statement on the Big Stage
Dybantsa’s second-half performance against Clemson wasn’t just impressive - it was historic. According to ESPN, he outscored the entire Clemson team in the second half, 22-21.
He also dished out five assists, compared to Clemson’s three, and shot an ultra-efficient 7-of-11 from the field. Clemson, meanwhile, went just 7-of-27.
That’s not just a good half. That’s a takeover.
And it happened on one of the biggest stages in college hoops, under the bright lights of MSG, with millions watching. In fact, that Jimmy V Classic drew the largest ESPN audience for the event in five years.
For a freshman still finding his rhythm in a new system, that’s the kind of performance that shifts narratives - and draft boards.
The Buzz is Building - Fast
BYU head coach Kevin Young has worked with elite talent before, but he’s made it clear: Dybantsa is different. On his weekly show, Young called him one of the most unique players he’s ever coached - and that’s saying something.
ESPN’s Sean Farnham echoed the sentiment, calling Dybantsa a “billboard marquee” type of player. And the numbers back it up. In his last two games (against Clemson and Cal-Riverside), Dybantsa has outscored his opponents in the second half by himself, 34-28.
That’s not just a hot streak - that’s dominance.
And the NBA world is taking notice.
Paul Biancardi, ESPN’s college basketball and draft analyst, praised Dybantsa’s mid-range game as the best in the country and highlighted his ability to elevate his team through his passing. Biancardi even went back to a 2024 comparison, saying Dybantsa shows the athleticism of LeBron James and Tracy McGrady coming out of high school. That’s rare company.
Evan Sidery, writing on the NBA beat, noted that Dybantsa is gaining serious traction as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. At 6’9”, with fluid movement and a polished scoring package, he fits the modern NBA mold perfectly - a multi-level scorer with positional versatility and upside to burn.
Freshman Pressure, Veteran Composure
Dybantsa is averaging 20.3 points per game - third among all freshmen nationally - trailing only Duke’s Cameron Boozer (23.0) and Stanford’s Ebuka Okorie (21.0). But what sets him apart isn’t just the scoring. It’s how he scores, and when.
He’s not forcing the issue. He plays within the system, lets the game come to him - until it’s time to take over. And when that moment comes, he doesn’t hesitate.
Still, he’s navigating the typical freshman learning curve. Opposing defenses are keying in on him.
He’s getting bumped, grabbed, and bodied on drives. And, like many young stars, he’s not always getting the whistle he probably deserves.
Against UConn, it looked like he was absorbing contact on nearly every possession - and still powering through it.
But every now and then, like in the Clemson game, the calls come. And when they do, Dybantsa becomes even more dangerous. Clemson’s coaches reportedly told their players not to foul him late - because they knew he’d cash in at the line.
The Big 12 Awaits
The real test is coming. After the holidays, BYU enters the grind of Big 12 play - a conference known for physicality, deep rosters, and road environments that test even the most seasoned players. Officiating in the Big 12 tends to let teams play, especially when you're the visiting team.
That’s going to be a new challenge for Dybantsa. But if the past few weeks are any indication, he’s ready for it.
The chemistry is still developing between Dybantsa and BYU’s core - point guard Rob Wright, wing Richie Saunders, and big man Keba Keita - but the signs are promising. This team is 9-1, still finding its rhythm, and already showing flashes of something special.
In Saturday’s win over Cal-Riverside, Dybantsa posted 26 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and five steals in just 30 minutes. That brings his two-game total to 54 points, 17 boards, and 11 assists - a stat line that would make any coach smile.
Bottom Line: He’s Just Getting Started
Dybantsa’s ability to toggle between roles - from unselfish facilitator to ruthless closer - is what makes him so special. He’s not just a scorer.
He’s a tone-setter. A problem-solver.
A player who can shift the momentum of a game with a single burst.
And as he continues to grow, both within BYU’s system and under the national spotlight, the rest of the country is starting to realize what BYU fans already know:
When AJ Dybantsa hits second gear, there might not be a better player in college basketball.