The No. 1 high school prospect in the class of 2025, AJ Dybantsa, has been very busy during the offseason, both with the Team USA U19 training camp and the FIBA U19 World Cup. However, he has found time to train with his future team, BYU, and also to get to know the players who will share the court with him.
Dybantsa has even had the opportunity to get impressed by some of his future teammates, and his early assessments paint a promising picture for the Cougars’ upcoming season.
AJ Dybantsa Praises Teammates
In an interview with On3, Dybantsa revealed the names of two of the players who have impressed him the most among those who will defend BYU’s colors next season:
“Watching them play last year, I kind of knew about our returners,” Dybantsa said. “But so far, I’ve been impressed with Kennard Davis and Dom [Dominique Diomande] from Washington.”
Kennard Davis is looking for a challenge. 👀👀 pic.twitter.com/ecNA25e1hu
— BYUtv Sports Nation (@BYUSportsNation) June 24, 2025
Davis brings an immediate scoring punch to the Cougars’ backcourt. The 6’6″ guard’s size gives BYU a versatile weapon that can play multiple positions and create mismatches against smaller defenders. His ability to shoot from deep while also attacking the rim makes him a perfect complement to Dybantsa’s skill set.
Naturally, they’re not the only ones who have made a good impression on the star freshman. He also said he admires Richie Saunders, highlighting his ability to play like a veteran: “Things have been good with him; he is good.”
Read More: AJ Dybantsa Loses Top Freshman Ranking in EA Sports College Basketball Game Prediction
Dybantsa then said, “I mean, so far we have played against each other a lot in practice, but we are learning to play on the same team and play off of each other.”
“He’s good, man. I see why he was the most improved player in the league. Richie does everything at game speed, and he plays just like a vet,” he added.
“I’ve seen a lot of film over the years. His film, I was like holy crap like who is this guy??” 🍿🇫🇷
– Justin Young on the addition of Dominique Diomande to this BYU squad. pic.twitter.com/xJs4xNVpGa
— Church Ball: A BYU Hoops Pod (@churchballpod) June 10, 2025
Veteran Leadership and International Talent
Richie Saunders is certainly a veteran of NCAA basketball. He will be playing his fourth season with BYU in 2025-2026. He was also the team’s leading scorer last season, averaging 16.5 points per game and shooting 51.8% from the two-point line and 43.2% from the perimeter.
Saunders’ experience will be crucial for a team integrating several new pieces. His leadership on and off the court gives coach Kevin Young, a reliable veteran who can help guide the younger players through the rigors of Big 12 competition.
Kennard Davis, a 6’6″ guard who arrived via the transfer portal after playing two seasons at Southern Illinois, averaged 16.3 points per game last season, shooting 45.5% from the two-point line and 37.6% from the three-point line.
10 minutes of Richie Saunders highlights for your viewing pleasure 🍿 pic.twitter.com/vbZbroVGql
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) May 1, 2025
Dominique Diomande, meanwhile, also arrived at BYU via the transfer portal from Washington. He redshirted his freshman year, so he arrives without official NCAA stats.
Before signing with Washington, Diomande played in the France-ProA U21 league, averaging 16 points, six rebounds, and two assists per game with ADA Blois. He shot 51.9% from the perimeter.
The international experience brings a different perspective to BYU’s roster. Diomande’s ability to stretch the floor while also contributing on the boards gives the Cougars another versatile piece to work with. His development during his redshirt year at Washington should pay dividends as he steps into a larger role.
With Dybantsa’s arrival generating national attention, these supporting pieces will be critical to BYU’s success in the competitive Big 12. The early chemistry between the star recruit and his new teammates suggests the Cougars could be a factor in conference play.
