AJ Dybantsa has taken college basketball by storm in his freshman season at BYU, leading the nation in scoring while establishing himself as the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
AJ Dybantsa’s Insane Stats Before March Madness
Dybantsa was born on Jan. 29, 2007, which makes him 19 years old. The freshman forward has put together one of the most dominant debut seasons in recent college basketball history despite being one of the youngest players in the sport.
Dybantsa was born in Boston and grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts. He is of Congolese and Jamaican descent, with his father having grown up in Grigny, France.
His path to BYU was unconventional. Dybantsa originally attended Saint Sebastian’s School before transferring to Prolific Prep in California. He then moved to Utah Prep Academy in Hurricane, Utah, for his senior year.
In December 2024, Dybantsa announced his commitment to BYU on ESPN’s First Take, choosing the Cougars over finalists North Carolina, Alabama, and Kansas. He cited a desire to play basketball without much off-court attention as a key factor in his decision.
MARCH MADNESS: Fill In Your Bracket Now!
The 6-foot-9 forward has more than lived up to the hype. Dybantsa leads the nation in scoring at 25.3 points per game while adding 6.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest. He is shooting an efficient 51.3% from the field.
Dybantsa has scored in double figures in all 34 games this season. He has recorded 25 games with 20 or more points, seven games with 30 or more points, and set a BYU freshman record with 43 points against Utah on Jan. 24.
He became the youngest player in NCAA history to record a triple-double when he posted 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against Eastern Washington in December. It was just the second 30/10/10 triple-double in Big 12 history.
Dybantsa saved some of his best performances for the Big 12 Tournament. He scored 40 points in the opening round against Kansas State, breaking Kevin Durant’s freshman Big 12 Tournament scoring record that had stood since 2007.
Over three tournament games, Dybantsa averaged 31.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 52.4% from the field. His 93 total points broke Durant’s single tournament scoring record as well.
The accolades have piled up throughout the season. Dybantsa was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year and earned First Team All-Big 12 honors. He was also selected as a First Team All-American by The Sporting News.
BYU enters the NCAA Tournament as a No. 6 seed in the West Region with a 23- 11 record. The Cougars will face the winner of a First Four matchup between Texas and NC State on Thursday in Portland.
It marks the 33rd NCAA Tournament appearance in BYU history and the second straight trip to the Big Dance under head coach Kevin Young. Last season, the Cougars reached the Sweet 16 before falling to Alabama.
At just 19 years old, Dybantsa plays with a poise and confidence that belie his age. He has embraced the spotlight that comes with being the top recruit in the country and delivered on every expectation.
BYU has never reached the Final Four in program history, but Dybantsa gives them a chance to make some noise in March. If he continues playing at this level, the Cougars could be a dangerous out in the West Region.
