Provo, UT — In a jaw-dropping move that’s turning heads across the nation, BYU has landed the top high school basketball recruit in the country — AJ Dybantsa — in what’s being called one of the biggest recruiting coups in college basketball history.
The 6’9” phenom, widely projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, turned down offers from bluebloods like Duke, Kansas, North Carolina, and Alabama to don the Cougar blue — and the reason isn’t just the scenic views of Provo.
According to multiple sources, Dybantsa signed a groundbreaking Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal estimated between $5 million and $7 million, setting a new standard for college basketball compensation. The massive payout not only reflects his elite status as a prospect but also signals BYU’s serious entrance into the high-stakes world of NIL-era athletics.
“He’s a generational talent,” said BYU Head Coach Mark Pope. “AJ brings leadership, explosiveness, and a killer instinct on the court — but more than that, he believes in the vision we’re building here.”
Dybantsa is known for his freakish athleticism, smooth shooting stroke, and high basketball IQ — a rare combo that makes him virtually unstoppable. Scouts have compared him to a young Jayson Tatum, with even more upside.
Social Media Erupts
Basketball Twitter exploded following the announcement, with fans and analysts alike expressing shock and admiration for BYU’s bold move.
“BYU just changed the game,” tweeted ESPN’s Jay Bilas. “This isn’t a fluke. This is a power play.”
Changing the Narrative
Long seen as a mid-tier player in the college basketball recruiting wars, BYU’s move signals a cultural shift. With this signing, the Cougars are no longer content to be on the sidelines — they’re stepping into the national spotlight, and they’re doing it with swagger.
What’s Next?
Dybantsa will enter Provo as the centerpiece of what many are already calling BYU’s “super team.” Early projections place the Cougars in the preseason Top 10, and if Dybantsa delivers on his promise, BYU could be looking at its deepest March Madness run in program history.
“I chose BYU because they believed in me, not just as a player, but as a person,” Dybantsa said in a press conference. “And yeah — they backed that belief up.”
