5-star Kentucky target AJ Dybantsa signs NIL deal with Nike

AJ Dybantsa is considered by many as the top high school basketball prospect in the country, regardless of age. He’s now signed to Nike.

Boardroom Sports broke the news on Tuesday that Dybantsa, a 6-foot-8 wing out of Massachusetts who is being recruited by nearly every top college program, has locked in a NIL deal with Nike. Kentucky — a longtime Nike school — is among the schools garnering interest from Dybantsa, who is considered the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 class by all four major recruiting services.

“Joining the Nike basketball family is huge,” Dybantsa said in the press release. “When I was asked, it was a no-brainer… Growing up, watching people that inspired me wear Nike — to now being part of the same team is an opportunity I don’t take for granted. I can’t wait to see what we can mix up on and off the court.”

Nike, looking to get a head start on the next generation of future stars, has also signed Jerzy Robinson, the top-ranked high school girls’ basketball player from the class of 2026. Kentucky freshman guard DJ Wagner is signed to Nike, as well.

BREAKING: Nike has signed #1 ranked prospects AJ Dybantsa and Jerzy Robinson to NIL shoe deals. 📄✍️

• @ADybantsa: 2026 NBA Draft projected #1 pick
• @JerzyRobinson: #1 ranked HS Class of 2026 player

Full story on @Boardroom: https://t.co/2mR1LQQwmxhttps://t.co/2mR1LQQwmx

— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) January 16, 2024

Dybantsa, who currently suits up for Prolific (CA) Prep, announced a scholarship offer from Kentucky back in November. He was close friends with the late Terrance Clarke and is keen on John Calipari’s ability to develop NBA players in just one year. The likes of Auburn, Southern California, and North Carolina, along with UK, are among the schools heavily involved early in Dybantsa’s recruitment.

Kentucky being a Nike school is certainly notable now that Dybantsa is under the same umbrella. How much it will actually help the Wildcats’ chance is yet to be seen, but we can compare it to the recruitment of fellow class of 2025 five-star Darryn Peterson.

Peterson has long been recruited to Kentucky, but once he signed an NIL deal with Adidas in November, the pitch from Kansas — an Adidas school — began to grow louder and louder publicly. Will Nike have the same sort of impact on Dybantsa’s recruitment with Kentucky?