BYU crowd chants 'We want AJ Dybantsa' in pregame vs. Arizona

The BYU Cougars not only had a big weekend this weekend in hosting the FOX crew for “FOX Big Noon Kickoff”, but they had one of the most coveted basketball prospects in school history at the game. AJ Dybantsa, the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, came to the BYU-Arizona football game.

Dybantsa is as advertised and let’s just say, he’d easily be the highest ranked recruit in BYU basketball history, by a substantial margin. Before the game, fans had to show the gifted hooper some love. They chanted, ‘We want AJ Dybantsa,’ in the video below.

No.1 AJ Dybantsa on the field pregame at BYU: the student section chants, “We want AJ.” pic.twitter.com/iCOgaZPWbo

— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) October 12, 2024

BYU routed Arizona 41-19, and the Cougars are currently sitting at 6-0, ranking them first in the Big 12 standings.

Dybantsa earned the 2022-2023 Gatorade Massachusetts Boys Basketball Player of the Year award following a freshman year at St. Sebastian’s School when he averaged 19.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game.

Dybantsa stands at 6-foot-9 and features a wingspan of seven feet. BYU is currently in the mix for his services along with plenty of other basketball powers: Alabama, North Carolina, Kansas, Kansas State, Auburn, and Baylor.

On October 11th, Dybantsa announced that he would reclassify to the 2025 cycle. There were several BYU football legends in attendance on Saturday, including Steve Young, Puka Nacua, Fred Warner, and others. They were truly rolling out the red carpet for the coveted prospect and once you take a quick look at his incredible highlight tape, it’s easy to see why. Dybantsa will instantly be one of the best players in college basketball no matter where he ends up. He’s played his high school basketball this year for Utah Prep (Hurricane, Utah).

Jeff Goodman of the Field of 68 has noted that whoever lands Dybantsa will have to pay a hefty price tag. He’s heard that his price tag is somewhere in the $7 million to $9 million range. He’s likely a prototypical one-and-done prospect, who will head off to the NBA after one year. It sure will be electrifying to watch him in college basketball for however long he stays. And it’ll be fascinating to see who lands his services.