When a top high school basketball prospect like AJ Dybantsa receives 33 offers from elite programs, choosing just one becomes a carefully calculated process. The No. 1 recruit in the country shocked many by selecting BYU, a program not traditionally known for landing top-tier talent.
With powerhouse schools like North Carolina, Kansas, and Alabama aggressively pursuing him, Dybantsa revealed that his final choice came down to three key factors. The Saint Joseph’s standout explained exactly what he was looking for in a school and shared how BYU checked every box on his list.
AJ Dybantsa Drops 3-Point Checklist That Led Him to BYU
AJ Dybantsa is a 6-foot-9 wing and the top high school basketball prospect, expected to be the No.1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Recently, he surprised many by committing to BYU, choosing the Cougars over big programs like Alabama, North Carolina, and Kansas. This decision shocked the college basketball community.
What makes it even more interesting is that Dybantsa received 33 college offers, as he shared recently during a discussion with Aaron Torres. He explained how he narrowed down those 33 offers to just seven before making his final choice.
Dybantsa said, “I think I finished high school with 33 y’all first. So 33 before I narrowed the list down. And there was, me and my dad were saying, there’s no point in me talking to 33 schools if I’m only gonna pick one. So they all had to talk to him.”
He added, “And then when it was time to narrow the list down, he gave me some options that I think that should be in there. And I gave him my options that I think should be in there. And we came down to seven.”
So, what made BYU rise above the rest? Reports suggest the Cougars offered a strong NIL package worth nearly $5 to $7 million. But according to Dybantsa, money wasn’t the only factor. Three specific things convinced him to pick BYU: a strong family atmosphere, a top-tier development coach, and an elite strength program.
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He explained, “Yeah like a family atmosphere on and off the court from a campus standpoint. I’m a great development coach that can improve my skillset, IQ, everything. Strength program got to be on point. There’s a lot of things that went into it.”
Dybantsa’s commitment is historic for BYU. He now holds the title of the highest-rated recruit in school history. For a program that isn’t considered a traditional basketball powerhouse, landing the top prospect in the country is a massive win.
In the end, Dybantsa didn’t just make a choice, he made a bold statement, showing that culture, development, and connection can matter more than fame or tradition. And for BYU, some may say they are lucky, but this could be the start of something big.
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