Jason Snow / The Enterprise / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

BYU’s AJ Dybantsa Surprises Local Kids With Heartfelt Gift Drop

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Corder | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 1:22 PM ET

BYU’s AJ Dybantsa Gives Back to Kids With a Cause Close to His Heart

Before AJ Dybantsa laces up for his first game as a BYU Cougar, the No. 1-ranked recruit in college basketball is already making a powerful impression off the court, by giving back to kids who remind him of his younger self.

This week, on his YouTube channel, Dybantsa made a surprise visit to the Boys and Girls Club in Provo. He was joined by teammates Dawson Baker, Richie Saunders, and Brody Kozlowski where they handed out free Nike sneakers, basketballs, backpacks, and other gear to children in need. His reason? “I used to be a Club kid,” he said. “When I was 5, 6, I used to do the summer program. My dad used to drop me off, and I’d just play basketball, hang with kids, and have a good time.”

It was a full-circle moment not lost on the young athletes in the gym, or Dybantsa himself.

Giving Starts at Home

Though he’s headed for the national spotlight, Dybantsa hasn’t forgotten his roots in Brockton, Massachusetts. Before arriving in Utah, he made similar donations to Boys and Girls Club branches in Brockton and Boston, where his journey began. By investing in the same programs that once supported him, Dybantsa shows his belief that talent grows best when it’s nurtured early, and generously.

A Champion for Representation

Dybantsa’s impact goes beyond shoes and sports gear. The son of immigrants, his mother from Jamaica and father from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he embodies the multicultural identity of a new generation of athletes. Earlier this year he traveled to his mother’s homeland of Jamaica to give back in connection with the Bob Marley and RIta Marley Foundations.

Last year, he played for Team World at the Nike Hoop Summit, representing his family’s heritage. He later suited up for Team USA at the FIBA Americas U16, FIBA U17 World Cup, and will next appear at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland. His rise inspires kids from diverse backgrounds to see themselves in the game.

A Legacy Bigger Than Basketball

Dybantsa said recently that his main goal was bringing a national title to Provo. Though Dybantsa is projected to declare for the NBA early, possibly after just one year at BYU, he’s already laying the foundation for a legacy that transcends stats. This isn’t just about charity, it’s about planting seeds of hope where he once stood. And he’s just getting started.

AJ Dybantsa’s example reminds us: true greatness isn’t measured by points on the scoreboard, but by the impact you leave behind.

For Cougar Nation, this is more than a new star on the roster. It’s a reason to believe in the power of giving back, and a new chapter of BYU basketball worth rallying behind.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: