BYU star AJ Dybantsa almost led a comeback for the ages to take down the No. 3 UConn Huskies on Saturday evening. After scoring just four points in the first half against coach Dan Hurley’s Huskies, Dybantsa erupted for 21 points in the second half of a narrow 86-84 loss for the No. 7 Cougars.
After the game, Dybantsa, who was heavily recruited by Hurley before choosing to go to Provo instead of Storrs, was caught on camera having a lively conversation with the UConn coach.
Dan Hurley Details Postgame Chat With AJ Dybantsa
During his postgame news conference after the thriller against the Cougars, Hurley revealed what he talked to Dybantsa about on the sidelines.
“Just the growth. Sometimes you watch these kids come into college, these high draft picks over the course of years…You can see on film, the entitlement, the not guarding, not being about the team… In the lead-up to watching the film, in the Nebraska scrimmage, there are a couple of possessions where he’s kinda leaking a little bit.”
“I’m watching the evolution, from game to game tonight. I mean, this guy is out there guarding, he’s on the backboard, he’s communicating with his teammates. He’s playing at a level of desperation to win the game. For a guy who’s maybe gonna be the No. 1 pick, it’s a little refreshing to see the mental toughness …and I told him that,” Hurley added.
Dybantsa is averaging 20.3 points on 57.4% shooting from the floor and 40% shooting from beyond the arc, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists for the Cougars so far this season.
BYU coach Kevin Young, who has worked with several NBA stars including Jimmy Butler, Joel Embiid, and Kevin Durant during his coaching career, heaped praise on Dybantsa’s maturity during his postgame news conference.
“He’s a mature young man…Has come in and not made it all about himself, but at the same time, has been able to deliver in big moments for us,” Young said. “The way he goes about his business, I really respect it…And obviously, the talent is on full display, but what’s more impressive is how he goes about his business.”
Young’s NBA experience was a huge factor in luring Dybantsa to BYU, and after a run to the Sweet 16 last season, the Cougars invested heavily in their roster with the No. 1 prospect in the class of 2025, the crown jewel in their project.
In ESPN’s latest big board, Dybantsa still headlines a talented draft class alongside Kansas Jayhawks star Darryn Peterson and Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer.