‘I just hoop’: BYU signee AJ Dybantsa dazzles in his latest high school outing in Utah

It’s been quite the week for AJ Dybantsa.

On Tuesday, the top-ranked basketball prospect in the country in the Class of 2025 appeared with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN to announce his commitment to BYU.

Wednesday marked Dybantsa’s official Marriott Center introduction, where he received a passionate welcome from Cougar fans, and Friday saw him spend some time with his idol Kevin Durant.

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Amid all of the celebrity status and excitement, Dybantsa is still a high schooler, even if he plays like anything but. On Saturday, the teenage phenom returned back to his rightful place: captivating a packed gymnasium with his on-court prowess, this time doing so at Lehi’s Holiday Hoopfest showcase in a 74-60 victory over a visiting Duncanville squad from Texas.

“It was a good performance, but we won, and that’s all that matters,” Dybantsa told reporters after the game. “We’re improving. We’ve lost a couple games, but (tonight) we bounced back.”

Dybantsa is far too modest. His Saturday night performance was outstanding — by this writer’s count, he scored a dominant 24 points on 9 of 14 shooting with 12 rebounds and three assists, more than living up to his consensus No. 1 recruit reputation.

His personal comparison to Tracy McGrady became rather understandable, as his smooth jumper and comfortable scoring ability clearly called back to those of the dynamic Hall of Fame talent.

“I’ve been watching a lot of (McGrady’s) film, and I feel like we play similar,” Dybantsa said. “I just try to take stuff from his game.”

But much of Dybantsa’s effort won’t show up in any statistics. He played selflessly — setting screens, hustling on defense, making extra passes and doing whatever was necessary to open up opportunities for other scorers.

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“It’s a team game,” Dybantsa said. “I mean, everybody’s got to eat. I’m not the only one playing.”

Just because he didn’t try to play the hero or get greedy doesn’t mean Dybantsa wasn’t having fun. He shouted, smiled and threw down a number of vicious, SportsCenter-worthy dunks on the night, even flashing “Y” hand signs after one such slam to the delight of hundreds of royal and navy blue-clad fans in the building.

“I try to put on a show, but I also want to keep it simple,” Dybantsa said. “The main objective is to win, but I try to warm up the crowd and put on a little show.”

The crowd definitely enjoyed such theatrics. Dybantsa received a standing ovation upon checking out for the final time in the contest and was swarmed postgame — both on the court and outside of Utah Prep’s locker room — by fans hunting for selfies, autographs or just wanting to hear a “Go Cougars!” from the potential BYU legend.

So much attention for a high schooler is almost absurd, but Dybantsa isn’t fazed. Whether Cougar Nation is showing love at the Marriott Center or in a Lehi gym, he says he appreciates it all.

“I just hoop. (I feel) blessed,” Dybantsa said. “I’m just trying to take care of all the people who have helped me, and I feel blessed.

“... It’s always good support. I’m a family guy, so I love that support always.”