AJ Dybantsa was impressive in his BYU debut. Here’s how social media reacted

Published: Nov 3, 2025, 10:59 p.m. MST

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) shoots against Villanova forward Duke Brennan during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Las Vegas. AP

Jackson has been writing about sports for the Deseret News since 2023.

AJ Dybantsa has arrived.

BYU’s freshman phenom scored 21 points Monday night in Las Vegas, leading the Cougars to a 71-66 win over Villanova to open the season.

Social media was buzzing about Dybantsa’s performance and BYU’s victory. Here are some of the best reactions.

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Starting off with a WIN. pic.twitter.com/HKpqBkWTKG
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) November 4, 2025

NO. 8 BYU WINS IN VEGAS 🔥

The Cougars start their highly anticipated season off with a W over Villanova 👏 pic.twitter.com/LrQZprEVQG
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) November 4, 2025

AJ DYBANTSA GOES OFF FOR 21 PTS IN COLLEGE DEBUT 🔥

BYU GOT A STAR 🌟 pic.twitter.com/yz35DSuspR
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 4, 2025

Welcome to college basketball, AJ Dybantsa👏#Big12MBB | @BYUMBB pic.twitter.com/YiUvSEsp2Q
— Big 12 Studios (@big12studios) November 4, 2025

AJ Dybantsa in his BYU debut:

🔹 21 PTS
🔹 6 REB
🔹 3 AST
🔹 W over Villanova@SCNext pic.twitter.com/ItkR0dfUU3
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 4, 2025

BYU Basketball. Welcome To The Revolution.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 4, 2025

Until you experience it first hand, you cant understand how big and passionate BYU's fan base is 😤😤 pic.twitter.com/3Vz7KyMwCK
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) November 4, 2025

Pinch yourself it’s real that BYU has AJ Dybanza!! 😂😂
— Kyle Collinsworth (@collinsworth55) November 4, 2025

How life feels when BYU Football is 8-0, BYU Basketball just won their season opener vs Villanova, and BYU Women’s soccer just beat the 1 seed in the Big 12 tournament pic.twitter.com/W1U3Zq0NhW
— The ROC (@byuROC) November 4, 2025

AJ Dybansta is HERE⬇️
💥21 Points
💥6 Rebounds
💥3 Assists
Dybansta Highlights vs. Villanova🎬#Big12MBB | @BYUMBB pic.twitter.com/o0Sn0YzY6J
— Big 12 Studios (@big12studios) November 4, 2025

Turns out AJ Dybantsa is pretty good 🤷🏽‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/qqG4hXG8Qq
— Bradley Pilkington (@bpilk10) November 4, 2025

If AJ Dybantsa went to the NBA tomorrow, he’d be an All-Star by February
— Collin Davies (@DaviesCollin) November 4, 2025

Saunders and Wright go 9/29 from the floor and BYU still wins. How bout that
— Joe Wheat (@joewheat27) November 4, 2025

GO COUGS! pic.twitter.com/fYNzPaPoiu
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) November 4, 2025

Imagine having the hype around you that the basketball world has put on AJ Dybantsa and then playing this composed while exceeding expectations. Wow. Just… wow. Special… pic.twitter.com/7rP1KVKr4K
— Jared 🤙 #GoCougs (@jrossean) November 4, 2025

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