No. 1 prospect AJ Dybantsa shows off elite bounce with dunk from free throw line
The recruitment of Brockton (Mass.) native and Utah Prep star AJ Dybantsa, the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 cycle, continues to pick up steam as he continues to take visits.
Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, BYU, Kansas, Kansas State and North Carolina remain in the mix for the 6-foot-9 small forward. Later this fall, he’ll begin his senior season, though he’s already giving everyone a taste of what’s to come on the hardwood.
In a video posted to his Instagram story on Thursday, Dybantsa essentially put on his own dunk contest, taking flight for a pair of eye-popping slams, including a thunderous tomahawk that saw the Five-Star Plus+ prospect leave his feet at the free throw line.
That bounce is just one of the many reasons why he’s the consensus top-ranked recruit in the country. On3’s Jamie Shaw writes this of Dybantsa as a prospect:
“Dybantsa is a lengthy and wiry 6-foot-7, maybe 6-foot-8 wing. He has a slippery and smooth handle in the open floor that allows him to attack the basket downhill. He is a bouncy athlete at the rim, finishing high above in transition. Dybantsa has a smooth jump shot and can create his own shots off the bounce. He has the length and upside to be very good when he is locked in on the defensive end. With a 2007 birthday, he has the foundation of all the tools; it will simply be about continuing to get stronger and developing the vast skill base. He is tracking as one of the top players in his class.
“In June I was at the USA Basketball U17 Training Camp. The setting of the camp had a couple of pre-approved media members along with NBA Scouts watching as they whittled down the list from 33 to the final 13. Sitting among the NBA Scouts throughout the open sessions of the Training Camp, during our conversation one scout matter-of-factly stated, “AJ Dybantsa would be the No. 1 player in this year’s draft (2024), next year’s draft (2025), and in the 2026 NBA Draft.”
The latest on Dybantsa’s recruitment
The 200-pounder is fresh off an official visit to North Carolina as the Tar Heels look to gain some traction in the race for his pledge. Auburn, Kansas State and Kansas have already had him on campus for an OV, while officials to Alabama (this weekend), Baylor (Oct. 4) and BYU (Oct. 11) are also on the calendar.
On3’s Joe Tipton updated the recruitment of Dybantsa following his trip to Chapel Hill. Dybantsa’s father, Ace, has stated that a February commitment has been the plan, not a decision during the Early Signing Period in November.