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AJ Dybantsa scores 32 points, carries Utah Prep to win at Grind Session Hawaii

hunterby:Hunter Shelton•12/28/24•

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Syndication: Enterprise News
Utah Prep's AJ Dybantsa drives to the basket on Highland's Jemal Smith, left, and Josh Hamilton during a game at Emmanuel College in Boston on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

Utah Prep is continuing its winter hoops tour in Hawaii and Five-Star Plus+ small forward AJ Dybantsa continues to assert his dominance.

On Saturday night against Albuquerque Prep at Grind Session Hawaii, Dybantsa was near perfect in a punishing 117-77 victory. The BYU signee and No. 1 overall prospect finished with 32 points on 13-15 shooting, while also piling up 10 rebounds, seven assists, a steal and a block.

As expected, the 6-foot-9, 200-pounder had his way with the opposing defense and was able to get to the rim with ease. He also cashed in on a couple of 3-pointers, too:

Last week, Utah Prep won the 2024 ‘Iolani Classic in Honolulu. Dybantsa was named the tournament MVP and added multiple eye-popping plays to his already-wicked high school highlight reel.

Utah Prep is currently the No. 23 team in the nation, according to the On3 Composite Rankings. The Athletes will likely rise, however, as they’ve notched multiple big wins to this point, including over the likes of Link Academy (Mo.), Oak Hill Academy (Va.) and Brewster Academy (N.H.).

The On3 Composite High School Basketball Team Ranking is a proprietary algorithm that compiles rankings listed in the public domain by respected High School media and data companies. It includes Massey, Max Preps, ESPN and SI, creating the industry’s most comprehensive and geographically balanced High School Team Ranking.

BYU eagerly awaiting the arrival of Dybantsa next season

Dybantsa committed and signed with BYU on Dec. 10, ending a long recruitment that also saw Alabama, North Carolina and Kansas emerge as finalists. He’s since made his first appearance at the Marriot Center in Provo, his future home court at the college level.

“It was fun, everybody supporting me, like it said ‘welcome home,’ I mean it’s going to be my next home, everybody’s got to be a family, I like how it was just a family atmosphere,” Dybansta told BYU Sports Nation after he was introduced.

The former No. 1 player in the 2026 class, Dybantsa reclassified up to the 2025 cycle — his original class — in October of 2023. He took a slew of visits throughout his process, but the Cougars were always a factor. He took his official visit to Provo this October and is now the highest-ranked prospect to ever sign with the new Big 12 program.

AJ Dybantsa Scouting Profile

On3 Director of Scouting Jamie Shaw writes this about him as a prospect:

“The No. 1 player in the 2025 class, AJ Dybantsa, showcased a powerful arsenal. He has a dynamic offensive game at a lengthy 6-foot-9 and he showed a full array of scoring moves when he was playing 18 feet and in. Dybantsa has excellent footwork in the mid-post. He was able to utilize different upfakes and step-throughs to create clean opportunities for himself. Something that I saw tonight was a hitch in his jump shot, off the catch, when he gets to the apex of his shot load.

…While he made his first one, this is something that he is going to have to iron out as it leads to inconsistencies from range. While some things were a little forced for him tonight, one thing that I really liked about Dybantsa’s game in this one was that he was quick and decisive with his decision-making. Dybantsa worked straight to the rim with minimal moves to get there. His length and athletic pop, really shined through while showcasing some skill in his offensive arsenal. Working through the jump shot will be necessary, so teams cannot just sag and clog with him, but he was able to impose his will at times in this one. Dybantsa has immense upside.”