AJ Dybantsa, a five-star recruit and top high school basketball prospect, has already made a name for himself in the NIL world. He cemented his place before even stepping on the court for the BYU Cougars.
The 6’9″ forward from Utah recently secured major endorsement deals with powerhouse brands like Nike and Red Bull.
AJ Dybantsa’s Rise in the NIL Space Before College Basketball Debut
Rumors suggest AJ Dybantsa is set to sign a multi-million-dollar NIL deal with BYU to play for them starting next season. His incredible potential is undeniable, and it seems his basketball career is already in full swing off the court.
During the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco, Dybantsa showcased his skills at Nike’s “Future Game.” The event was a highlight for top high school athletes and was used to debut Nike’s latest footwear, the G.T. Future sneaker.
While competing on the court, Dybantsa also worked with Meta’s Instagram for an exclusive inside look at his experience. Using the Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, Dybantsa shared his moments with Instagram’s 685 million followers. This further cemented his growing influence in sports and social media.
The event was widely covered on social media, with basketball media figure Nick DePaula sharing an X post about Dybantsa’s participation.
High School star AJ Dybantsa debuts the upcoming GT Future at Nike’s “Future Game” showcase event in Oakland. 👀 pic.twitter.com/Y0WAqGmvE8
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) February 15, 2025
“High School star AJ Dybantsa debuts the upcoming GT Future at Nike’s ‘Future Game’ showcase event in Oakland,” the post read.
Nike’s partnership with Dybantsa was more than just about basketball performance—it also marked the growing significance of his off-the-court appeal.
Dybantsa’s Impact Beyond the Court
Despite his team’s recent loss to Dynamic Prep, Dybantsa had an impressive individual performance, putting up 21 points and six rebounds. Reflecting on his journey, Dybantsa expressed how important it was for him to inspire the next generation of basketball players.
“It’s cool because, once, I was a kid in the stands watching my favorite high school player. Now, I just want to inspire kids to pursue their dreams,” he said.
Nike capitalized on Dybantsa’s status as both a rising basketball star and a rapidly growing social media presence.
In addition to the Instagram posts, the brand released a hype video featuring Dybantsa on the Nike Elite Youth Basketball account. The video celebrated his performance and solidified his position as one of the most exciting young talents in the sport.
KEEP READING: No. 1 Recruit A.J. Dybantsa Dazzles at Montverde Academy Invitational
Beyond the showcase, Dybantsa was also recognized as a McDonald’s All-American and a Naismith High School Player of the Year semifinalist.
Though he’s still a high school athlete, Dybantsa’s off-the-court presence has already made a significant impact. With his lucrative sponsorship deals with Nike and Red Bull, his collaborations with Instagram, and his exposure to major media events, Dybantsa has established himself as a force in the NIL space.
His involvement with Nike’s product launches and social media collaborations only hints at his potential to become a major name in sports marketing for the next several years.
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