Can Kevin Young and AJ Dybantsa Deliver BYU’s First Final Four?

The whole college basketball landscape has changed ever since AJ Dybantsa, the nation’s No. 1 recruit, committed to the BYU Cougars. Before his monumental decision, few people expected BYU to beat out top programs like Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, or Duke for elite talent. Dybantsa’s choice surprised everyone—even BYU’s own staff.

Coming off a 26-10 regular season and a Sweet Sixteen appearance in last year’s NCAA Tournament, BYU is building a legitimate program under head coach Kevin Young. The future is bright at BYU, especially after the Utah school secured a contract extension for Young to continue leading the program, with many believing a Final Four run could be in the cards this upcoming season. 

With AJ Dybantsa Committed and Coach Kevin Young’s Contract Extended, the Final Four Seems Very Possible

BYU basketball has never made it to the Final Four. But now, with Dybantsa joining the team and Young signing a long-term extension, that dream finally feels possible.

The excitement is real. The buzz is palpable. Still, the journey ahead is filled with both promise and too much risk.

Dybantsa, the 6-foot-9 small forward, changed everything when he chose BYU over the so-called “blue bloods” of college basketball. His commitment instantly boosted the program’s image, with reports suggesting that his NIL deal alone could be worth between $5 and $7 million. As College Basketball Report noted: “No one in college basketball is having a better offseason than BYU.”

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

So, with the nation’s No. 1 recruit locked in, they are one of the biggest contenders right now to reach the Final Four. But is that really possible? Reality check time. 

Let’s start by comparing Kevin Young to other successful coaches like Rick Barnes, Ben Howland, and Tom Crean. All three men reached the Final Four, won major-conference championships, and led their schools to 28+ win seasons.

Encouraging, right? Okay, they are the positives. 

KEEP READING: Is 2025 the Most Anticipated BYU Basketball Season Ever? AJ Dybantsa Hype Reaches New Heights 

On the negative side of things, all three of the above-mentioned coaches eventually lost their jobs within four years of building teams around five-star, one-and-done players. When those stars left for the NBA, their teams struggled the very next season. 

So, for the head basketball coach, the pressure is insanely high. The key for BYU will be ensuring roster depth, team chemistry, and balanced coaching strategies beyond just one player — even if his name is AJ Dybantsa — set the tone for everything they do.