Boston Celtics superfan and the No. 1 recruit in college basketball this year, AJ Dybantsa, voiced his honest reaction to the Celtics’ loss against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season. The Brockton, MA-born BYU Cougars star went to New York to shoot an exclusive interview with Boardroom Talks founder and host Rich Kleiman.
How Did AJ Dybantsa Justify the Celtics’ Loss in the Conference Semifinals From Last Season?
Dybantsa revealed that he was a hardcore Celtics fan growing up. Not just the Celtics, but every team in any other major league coming out of Boston was his favorite since the 18-year-old was born and raised in Brockton, MA.
Admitting that it was heartbreaking to watch the Celtics lose in the semifinals last year, Dybantsa justified the loss by stating that the Knicks won because Jayson Tatum got injured.
“Yeah, but they [Celtics] only lost because, you know, Tatum got injured. If he were still playing, it wouldn’t have been hell. We were down by seven, it’s cool though. It didn’t matter; we were going to win the series. They can have their fun for now; it’s New York. Like, they still lost in the Conference, though.”
Furthermore, reflecting on his love for Boston and also sharing the experience of being at NBA playoff games at a very young age, Dybantsa said, “I mean, I was at games when Paul Pierce and KG were playing. I was one, but he [Dybantsa’s father] took me to some games.”
Next, the 2025 FIBA Under-19 World Cup MVP said he was a fan of the Boston Bruins in the NHL, the New England Patriots in the NFL, and the Red Sox in the MLB. Dybantsa truly wears the Boston map on his heart, whether on the court or off it.
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Aura. pic.twitter.com/y8v5f6qlRR
— Center Street Media (@CenterStMedia) October 16, 2025
Dybantsa is predicted to be the next big thing in basketball. After graduating high school, he received multiple scholarships and playing offers from various top Division 1 programs.
With many big names to choose from, the rising star small forward accepted the offer from BYU. It became the highest-ranked player ever to be recruited in the history of the BYU Cougars basketball program.
Dybantsa Reflected on His Strong Mindset of Putting Basketball First
Kleiman asked the teenager to reflect on his mindset as to how he copes with everything at such a young age and, amid all that, aims to put basketball first. Dybantsa said, “I mean, basketball is my passion. So, regardless of what happens, basketball is going to be first.”
He added, “And I know everything’s going to take care of itself if basketball works out. So, I put all my energy into basketball. Obviously, I got to do the other stuff on the side, but basketball and school come first, that’s right.”
Fans and analysts alike have already started discussing and speculating about where the ‘next big thing in basketball’ will be drafted when he becomes eligible to enter the NBA draft in the near future.
