AJ Dybantsa has finally made his long awaited decision. As the number one recruit in both college and the 2026 NBA draft. He has come down to his final 4 final schools. Making his decision on First Take the schools were Kansas, Alabama, BYU, and North Carolina. And it turns out Dybantsa’s going to be a cougar.
AJ Dybantsa – the top-ranked prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft class – has committed to Brigham Young University, he announces on ESPN's First Take. Landmark day for the BYU Cougars. pic.twitter.com/8qB64WqtIE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 10, 2024
This was definitely a surprise to most. Maybe even bigger than his surprise move to Utah Prep but when Stephen A Smith said “I thought you were going to pick North Carolina because of the ACC and Duke North Carolina rivalry.”
AJ retaliated and said “Who said I can’t play Duke at BYU” He doesn’t care he realizes what BYU can do to help him.
Dybantsa did say on First Take that he was going to be one and done (rightly so) and his goal for BYU obviously is a National Championship. He chose BYU because of the NBA level staff and program they have set for themselves starting with former NBA assistant coach Kevin Young.
Although AJ Dybantsa said that he thinks he would fit best in either San Antonio or the Orlando Magic, the state of Utah has a whole other year to try and change it.
So obviously when Utah inevitably gets Cooper Flagg, AJ Dybantsa will see what he’s doing for the Jazz. Also having Ryan Smith, Danny Ainge, and Will Hardy attend games and hanging around. The stars of Flagg and Dybantsa would be different with maybe Lauri as the best third option in the league. Utah would have one of the biggest lineups in the league no question.