BYU basketball signee A.J. Dybantsa is making a strong case for his No. 1 ranking at the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament (MAIT) in Florida. The tournament, known for featuring some of the best high school teams across the country, has already seen Dybantsa’s Utah Prep team put on a show.
In the opening round, Dybantsa led Utah Prep to an exciting 82-79 victory over Sagemont, cementing his place as one of the top players in high school basketball.
AJ Dybantsa Dominates In First Round Of MAIT
In his first game of the tournament, Dybantsa put up a monster stat line, finishing with 35 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and three steals. He was efficient on offense, hitting 13 of 21 shots from the field, including a remarkable 7 of 8 from three-point range.
Dybantsa also went perfect from the free-throw line, hitting both attempts, as he led Utah Prep to a hard-fought win. His performance was a major reason the team was able to edge out Sagemont despite the strong individual effort from Sagemont’s Matthew Able, who scored 39 points in the loss.
Dybantsa’s scoring was dynamic, with the 6-foot-9 forward showcasing his ability to score in multiple ways. Whether it was hitting contested three-pointers, finishing through traffic with tough layups, or throwing down dunks, Dybantsa kept the defense on its heels.
One of the standout moments of the game came in the first half when Dybantsa converted a four-point play, further highlighting his offensive versatility. In the third quarter, he took over the game, hitting four consecutive three-pointers in just 2:20 to push Utah Prep’s lead to double digits.
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Not only did Dybantsa excel on offense, but he was also a force on the boards. His 15 rebounds were crucial in Utah Prep’s victory, with Dybantsa grabbing five more rebounds than the entire Sagemont team, which managed just 20 rebounds in the game.
From AJ Dybantsa’s Strong Team Performance To Bench Contributions
Although Dybantsa’s performance was the highlight of the game, Utah Prep had strong contributions from other players as well.
Four-star junior Anthony Felesi and four-star Washington signee J.J. Mandaquit each scored 15 points in the win, providing critical support for Dybantsa. Their scoring, along with Dybantsa’s all-around contributions, was key to keeping Utah Prep ahead throughout the game.
Utah Prep’s strong team effort and balanced scoring will be crucial as they move through the tournament. With a solid supporting cast, Utah Prep is poised to make a deep run in the Montverde Academy Invitational.
With the first-round win under their belt, Utah Prep is now focused on their next challenge in the semifinals of the Montverde Academy Invitational. Utah Prep’s performance in the opening game showed that they have the talent and depth to compete with any team in the tournament.
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