AJ Dybantsa has established himself as one of the top NBA prospects in college basketball. As he prepares for his NCAA Tournament debut, the BYU Cougars star has revealed why he chose the program.
As a five-star prospect from Brockton, Massachusetts, Dybantsa drew interest from a number of big programs, including teams like Duke, Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Kansas. But he committed to BYU and has taken the college basketball world by storm since his arrival in Utah.
Why AJ Dybantsa Chose the BYU Cougars Over Other Top Programs
During a press conference ahead of BYU’s March Madness opener, Dybantsa was asked about how much importance players place on their overall development compared to monetary opportunities in the NIL era.
“It depends on the situation of the player. A guy like me, I come from a great background, great parents. For me, my ultimate goal is getting to the NBA. I picked BYU because they have the resources to develop me and get me NBA ready,” he said.
“There are a lot of people with different situations. Other people might choose money. But for me personally, I chose BYU because of the development process. It wasn’t really for the money,” he added.
Dybantsa acknowledged that NIL deals play a big role for some players, but his focus has always been to get to the NBA.
AJ Dybantsa’s Stunning Freshman Season With the BYU Cougars
In what has been a spectacular introduction to college basketball, Dybantsa is the points leader heading into the NCAA Tournament. He is averaging 25.3 points per game while shooting 51.3% from the field. He also averages 6.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 3.8 assists per game.
MARCH MADNESS: Fill In Your Bracket Now!
For his exemplary performances, Dybantsa was named to the All-Big 12 First Team and the AP All-American First Team and was also named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year.
Regarded as one of the most complete young players in college basketball in recent years, Dybantsa is now primed to make an impact in the NCAA Tournament for BYU. March Madness will offer him the opportunity to showcase his skills on the big stage. After that, he will turn his focus to the NBA Draft, where he is expected to be a top pick.
The BYU Cougars are seeded No. 6 in the West Region and will face the Texas Longhorns in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Fans can catch Dybantsa live on Thursday on TBS and Max, with tip-off scheduled for 7:25 p.m. ET.
