AJ Dybantsa Left Nation Stunned Following Major Announcement to BYU

The moment that shook college basketball happened not on national television or inside a packed gym, but over a quiet FaceTime.

“I just told him I’m coming,” AJ Dybantsa casually said, describing the moment he gave his commitment to BYU head coach Kevin Young before anyone else knew. No press conference, no elaborate rollout. Just a direct call that changed everything.

For BYU fans, this is more than a recruiting win, it’s a program-defining coup. Dybantsa, ranked No. 1 in the nation by ESPN for the Class of 2025, brings a level of talent the Cougars have never seen. The 6’9” forward, known for his elite shot creation and versatility, has already dominated on the international stage, winning gold medals with Team USA’s U16 and U17 squads.

The commitment was so secretive that not even BYU’s coaching staff knew. “No, the staff didn’t know… it was just [Kevin Young],” Dybantsa told Aaron Torres. That moment encapsulates the growing bond between player and coach, a relationship rooted in trust, vision, and belief in something bigger.

Dybantsa’s move to Provo also signals a shift in college basketball’s power balance. While programs like Duke and Kentucky were in pursuit, the future NBA lottery pick chose a school not traditionally known as a basketball powerhouse. Why? Kevin Young.