🔥 BYU’s AJ Dybantsa Becomes College Basketball’s Top NIL Earner
PROVO, Utah – A.J. Dybantsa, the No. 1 high school recruit and soon-to-be BYU freshman, has officially risen to the top NIL valuation in college basketball — even before playing a single collegiate game .
On3, a top NIL data platform, currently lists Dybantsa’s valuation at $4.1 million, ranking him No. 1 among non-football players .
Highlights of his endorsement portfolio include groundbreaking deals with Red Bull—marking the first time the energy drink has sponsored a male basketball athlete—and a major partnership with Nike .
These high-profile brand alignments are complemented by a substantial NIL agreement from BYU’s collective—valued anywhere between $5 million and $7 million—which initially drew leaked reports and speculation .
💬 What He’s Saying
Dybantsa recently shared his excitement:
> “It was no-brainer… I think we fit right in with each other,”
referring to the Nike and Red Bull deals .
He emphasized a strategic, selective approach:
> “We don’t want to take every deal. But the smart ones we gotta take.”
📌 Why This Matters
First-mover status: Dybantsa is the highest-valued incoming college basketball athlete—not 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.
🏁 The Takeaway
Before stepping on campus, AJ Dybantsa has already emerged as a powerhouse in the NIL era—a 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 Dybantsa’s journey—both on the court and in the boardroom. BYU has landed a talent who’s winning far beyond the hardwood.
