đ„ BYUâs AJ Dybantsa Becomes College Basketballâs Top NIL Earner
PROVO, Utah â A.J. Dybantsa, the No.âŻ1 high school recruit and soon-to-be BYU freshman, has officially risen to the top NIL valuation in college basketball â even before playing a single collegiate game .
On3, a top NIL data platform, currently lists Dybantsaâs valuation at $4.1 million, ranking him No.âŻ1 among non-football players .
Highlights of his endorsement portfolio include groundbreaking deals with Red Bullâmarking the first time the energy drink has sponsored a male basketball athleteâand a major partnership with Nike .
These high-profile brand alignments are complemented by a substantial NIL agreement from BYUâs collectiveâvalued anywhere between $5 million and $7 millionâwhich initially drew leaked reports and speculation .
đŹ What Heâs Saying
Dybantsa recently shared his excitement:
> âIt was no-brainer⊠I think we fit right in with each other,â
referring to the Nike and Red Bull deals .
He emphasized a strategic, selective approach:
> âWe donât want to take every deal. But the smart ones we gotta take.â
đ Why This Matters
First-mover status: Dybantsa is the highest-valued incoming college basketball athleteânot just at BYU, but nationwide .
Pioneering brands: His Red Bull partnership is historic, placing him at the cutting edge of athlete-brand collaborations .
Strategic leverage: Opting for fewer, higher-value deals reflects a savvy approach seldom seen from a rookie.
đ The Takeaway
Before stepping on campus, AJ Dybantsa has already emerged as a powerhouse in the NIL eraâa testament to his influence and marketability. His partnerships with top-tier brands and a record-breaking NIL valuation place him firmly ahead of the curve, setting expectations high when basketball season tips off.
Keep an eye on Dybantsaâs journeyâboth on the court and in the boardroom. BYU has landed a talent whoâs winning far beyond the hardwood.