BYU’s AJ Dybantsa Draws Stunning Comparison to 12-Time NBA All-Defensive Legend
PROVO, Utah — The legend of AJ Dybantsa continues to grow — and now it comes with some jaw-dropping comparisons. In a buzzworthy segment on ESPN’s summer scouting coverage, national analysts compared BYU’s top recruit to none other than Kobe Bryant defensively, citing the 12-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection as a benchmark for Dybantsa’s tenacity, IQ, and commitment on that end of the court.
> “AJ doesn’t just score — he locks in defensively,” one scout said. “His mindset and footwork remind me of early Kobe. Relentless, calculated, and physical without fouling.”
For a freshman heading into his first season with BYU, that’s an incredible — and almost unheard-of — parallel.
At 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot wingspan, Dybantsa has already turned heads in practice scrimmages, showcasing not just explosive offense, but a ferocious defensive presence rarely seen from a player his age. BYU’s staff has reportedly been stunned by his ability to guard all five positions, anticipate plays, and lead defensive communication like a seasoned veteran.
Under new head coach Kevin Young, a former NBA assistant known for his defensive systems, Dybantsa’s elite potential could be fully unlocked — turning him into the most complete player BYU has ever recruited.
Fans in Provo are rightfully buzzing. Dybantsa wasn’t just the No. 1 recruit in the country — he’s now being mentioned in the same breath as some of the NBA’s all-time greats.
If the comparisons hold even partly true, BYU may be witnessing the beginning of a historic era.
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