AJ Dybantsa remains No. 1 in 2025 On3 150 ranking update

On3 released its most recent update of the 2025 On3 150 rankings on Monday, and AJ Dybantsa remains atop the list. Dybantsa re-classified into the 2025 class in October, and he immediately settled into the No. 1 spot. 

Dybtantsa, a 6-foot-8 wing at Napa (CA) Prolific Prep, is one of nine five-star prospects in the 2025 class ranking update. He is one of seven Five-Star Plus+ prospects in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking. The Five-Star Plus+ is an indicator that the player is rated as a five-star prospect across all four major recruiting websites.

The choice of keeping Dybantsa at No. 1 for this update was not a very long conversation at this point in the cycle. However, the continued production of Cameron Boozer is continuing to make the top of this recruiting cycle a discussion to be had. 

Prior to Dybantsa’s re-class, Boozer held the No. 1 overall spot in the class. And he holds firm for this update at No. 2. Falling in line behind Boozer is guard Darryn Peterson at No. 3, forward Caleb Wilson at No. 4, and guard Isiah Harwell at No. 5. While there are still conversations to be had, and this recruiting class is only at its halfway point, clear prospect tiers are starting to take shape. 

Our goal is to assess a prospect’s long-term potential, ultimately manifested by the NBA Draft. The goal of the ranking is not to assess who had the best high school career or who will be the best college player. This is why we shoot to end each class cycle having 14 five-star prospects, following the lead of the NBA Draft Lottery. Ideally, the vision is on draft night, the player we have at No. 1 has the highest odds of being the top overall pick. 

Let’s discuss the thought process behind making AJ Dybantsa On3’s No. 1 player at this point in the 2025 cycle.

The Updated 2025 On3 150

AJ Dybantsa’s Consistent Production

AJ Dybantsa entered high school as a known commodity, at the top of his class. Since first stepping foot on campus, he has gotten every player’s best that has lined up across from him. He has also competed at the highest levels possible, for a domestic high school-aged player. 

Dybantsa was the Massachusetts Gatorade State Player of the Year last year, after his freshman season at Needham (MA) St. Sebastian’s School. Playing in the NESPAC’s Class A Division, Dybantsa averaged 19.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. He shot 60.8 percent from the field and 41.0 percent from three through his freshman season. 

The 6-foot-8 wing went into the travel ball season, playing with the Expressions program on Nike’s EYBL E17 Circuit. Before his re-classification, throughout his summer travel season, Dybantsa played up two grade levels. During the 17-game regular season, Dybantsa finished top-20 in scoring at 17.8 per game. He shot 52.7 percent from the field and led his team to an EYBL post-season birth at Nike’s Peach Jam.

After his final regular season EYBL game, Dybantsa went to Colorado Springs, Colorado for the USA Basketball Junior National Team Training Camp. Dybantsa made the USA Basketball U16 team where he averaged 13.7 points (tenth overall in the tournament) on 61.7 percent shooting from the field. His 3.8 assists per game were also second on his team. USA went 6-0 and won the gold medal in the FIBA Americas Championship. 

In July, just after his gold-medal showing with USA Basketball, Dybantsa made it back for Nike’s E17 Peach Jam. His 25.8 points per game led the event by more than four points. Dybantsa shot 46.6 percent from the field during the five-game tournament and added 2.4 assists and 5.6 rebounds. 

Dybantsa’s deep offensive arsenal

My first viewing of AJ Dybantsa came while he was in middle school. The takeaway at that point was a simple one, his feel for scoring at his size was evident. His game was never rushed, even then. He always seemed poised, understanding what spots on the floor he wanted to get to and using minimal dribbles and movement to get to those spots. 

Fast-forward a couple of years, and not much has changed for Dybantsa. His game continues to be concise and efficient. His feel in the mid-range is advanced, and it starts with his footwork. Dybantsa has a clean shot prep with a repeatable release and shot load from each level. He is comfortable in the mid-post with an array of jab steps and counters that get him consistent open looks from 13 to 18 feet. He is continuing to work with his balance which should continue to get better as he adds weight to his core and base. 

The balance, and added strength, will also help with his jump shot from long distance. As I mentioned above, when stepping into a shot from three or shooting it off the catch, Dybanta’s form is repeatable, along with his alignment, load, and release. When he shoots from range off movement, especially laterally off the bounce, the shot trajectory can get off-center. The rotation on his ball is consistent and the shot trajectory is clean in the mid-range

Dybantsa does not have a break-down type of handle, but that is not his game. He plays efficiently off the bounce. While he is not going to his bag for multiple counters, he uses his dribbles to effectively enhance his footwork to get to his spots. In the half-court, Dybantsa will very rarely take more than two or three dribbles before getting the ball out of his hands. This is also a reason why his assist numbers are typically high because the ball does not stick with him. 

At 6-foot-8, Dybantsa has good length with positional size. He is also explosive in transition, getting out on the break with a clear objective. With the ball in his hands, he probes the floor controlled with good balance looking to put pressure on the rim. When he does not have the ball, he fills the lanes with a purpose.

Consistently, at each level, whether playing at the break-neck speed that USA Basketball plays at or in the halfcourt of his Prolific Prep team, Dybantsa shows poise and comfort creating an advantage with the ball in his hands. 

Optimal measurables

The intrigue of AJ Dybantsa’s scoring arsenal is exacerbated by his physical gifts. USA Basketball listed Dybantsa at 6-foot-8 for the FIBA Americas Championships. That is the desired positional size for a wing as Dybantsa continues to move from level to level. I have not seen official reports of Dybantsa’s wing span, but I have seen it reported that he measures 6-foot-11 from fingertip to fingertip. 

Watching Dybantsa play, you see the length and the flowing and smooth nature of his frame. He is also an explosive athlete, able to move laterally and vertically with pop and fluidity. His frame looks like he should be able to continue adding the necessary weight without losing his athleticism or dexterity. 

As things are currently, Dybantsa has the ideal size and athleticism you look for in a wing at the highest levels.

Projecting Dybantsa’s game moving forward

Every player’s developmental patterns can differ. The younger a player is, the further away they are from reaching their athletic prime. However, in watching AJ Dybantsa, he carries a lot of the indicators that translate as you continue to move up levels. 

For starters, Dybantsa has the physical profile you look for with his positional height, length, and athleticism. He will need to continue adding strength to his frame, which will lead to a continued growth ceiling. His natural tools are advanced among his peers, as he already has the shooting touch and feel to score confidently in a variety of ways. Also, the manner in which he scores is efficient and translatable. 

Looking across today’s landscape at the highest levels of basketball, you can see the value being placed on wings. Ten of the 20 highest-paid players in the NBA are considered wings. Whether the specific player archetype is the two-way wing, the play-making wing, the three-and-D wing, many of today’s best teams, at the highest levels of basketball, are anchored from the wing position. While Dybantsa still has necessary development in front of him, many of his outcomes fit the direction basketball is heading.