A commitment as significant as AJ Dybantsa’s to BYU required meticulous planning behind the scenes. When deciding, the No. 1 high school basketball prospect kept even the BYU coaching staff in the dark. But one person knew before the rest: Head Coach Kevin Young.
Now, Young has received his reward—he has signed a long-term contract extension following a successful first season with the program. However, everyone knows that Dybantsa’s recruitment played a major role in securing Young’s extension.
Fans are now speculating about the head coach’s future and what would happen if Dybantsa chose to leave the program. The discussion has sparked debates within the NCAA basketball world, as Young’s contract and BYU’s long-term success are closely tied to Dybantsa’s presence.
Fans Credit AJ Dybantsa’s Impact on Kevin Young’s BYU Contract Extension
Young, the head coach of BYU men’s basketball, has agreed to a long-term extension with the program. His extension comes after leading BYU to a Sweet 16 appearance and securing Dybantsa, who chose BYU over powerhouse programs like Alabama, North Carolina, and Kansas.
Brigham Young University coach Kevin Young has signed a new long-term contract extension with the program, sources tell ESPN, a new deal coming on the heels of a Sweet 16 run in his first season and the arrival of potential No. 1 NBA pick AJ Dybantsa.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 5, 2025
There is no doubt that Dybantsa’s commitment to BYU played a major role in Young’s extension, as his arrival strengthens the program’s future. Dybantsa had a close connection with the coach.
He revealed that Young was the only person who knew about his decision before the official announcement. “It was just him,” Dybantsa said, explaining that he informed Young in secrecy and asked him not to tell anyone until he made it public.
Now, this close connection is sparking debate across the NCAA world. Many believe Young’s contract extension is strongly tied to Dybantsa’s presence. Some say the extension is well-earned. The 45-year-old has proven he’s the right coach for the job. But others wonder what happens if the 18-year-old leaves early for the NBA.
One fan, @aosa_aone, didn’t hold back, claiming, “Soon as AJ leaves, they’re firing him.” It reflects the growing belief that Young’s job security hinges on Dybantsa staying in the program. Others echoed similar sentiments, like @HoodiiShai, who pointed out, “Bro benefited off AJ so much, and he’s not even in the league.”
Some fans took a more humorous approach, like @FearedLaker, who laughed at the situation, saying, “Lmao, AJ Dybantsa is already making his coaches money, and he isn’t even in the league yet.” Meanwhile, @34gotnxt kept things simple, writing, “AJ nice🔥🔥,” acknowledging his talent rather than debating his impact on Young’s future.
However, not everyone agreed with the criticism. @Shane00 defended Young, explaining, “He had a 7-year deal with BYU before he recruited Dybantsa. K Young was the best assistant coach in the NBA. Him being great is what got him paid.” Another supporter, @BoJoe244, added, “Kevin Young is a top 10 coach in CBB,” shutting down claims that his success is solely tied to Dybantsa’s commitment.
What’s undeniable is that AJ Dybantsa’s arrival has completely transformed BYU basketball. And the rest of the debate largely follows this logic.
KEEP READING: AJ Dybantsa Reveals Details Behind Secret ‘FaceTime’ Call With Kevin Young That Sealed BYU Move
So, the main question now is: How long will the former Utah Prep standout stay with the team? Last year, reports suggested he had been offered a $7 million NIL deal, but in April, Dybantsa stated that he never received an offer with that exact figure.
However, some reports still estimate his NIL valuation at BYU to be around $5 million to $7 million. Despite this, Dybantsa’s comments have raised serious concerns about the real details of his NIL deal, how long he intends to remain in the program for the long term, and how much job security Young truly has as BYU’s head coach, even after the contract extension.
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