2025 No. 1 recruit AJ Dybantsa sets commitment date

AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 overall basketball recruit in the 2025 class, is ready to make his college decision.

Dybantsa will announce his choice on Tuesday during ESPN’s First Take, where he’ll choose between North Carolina, BYU, Alabama and Kansas, he posted on his Instagram.

The Cougars have been the perceived favorite to land him in recent months, but according to the latest intel from On3’s Jamie Shaw, another team is making a late push.

Dybantsa, who is originally from Brockton (Mass.), is playing his senior season at Utah Prep Academy. The 6-foot-9, 200-pounder is one of the most decorated players in recent memory in high school basketball. Previously the No. 1 overall recruit in 2026, Dybantsa reclassified in 2025 back in October 2023.

He amassed more than 35 offers before ultimately narrowing down to seven schools and then his final four. Viewed as the front-runner to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, he has earned comparisons to Jayson Tatum. Prior to that though, he is expected to be the highest-paid player in the NIL era.

On3 reported last month that he is set to land a one-year financial package that will top $3 million and could get as high as $4 million.

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.”