AJ Dybantsa is 'blessed' to hear from Kentucky: "That's a good feeling"

The nation’s No. 1 overall recruit in ’25 is at the top of John Calipari‘s wishlist, and for good reason. AJ Dybantsa is wildly skilled and athletic for a well-built wing standing 6-8. He’s long, quick and silky-smooth with a deep offensive bag of three-level scoring and defensive upside.

And Kentucky is his most recent offer — a big one for the Needham, MA native and close friend of the late Terrence Clarke. It’s a program he’s always kept a close eye on growing up around the former Wildcat and being a fan of basketball in general.

“I’m just blessed, you know? It’s a high-major school with a lot of NBA players and college champions, so knowing they’re watching me and evaluating me, that’s a good feeling,” Dybantsa told KSR. “It was my most recent offer, a high-major blue blood. I’m blessed that they’re noticing my talents.”

Kentucky extended the offer on Nov. 21 and immediately followed it up with a trip to Miami to watch Dybantsa play with fellow five-star Tyran Stokes in Prolific Prep’s matchup vs. Christopher Columbus High School with Cameron and Cayden Boozer just a day later. Calipari was there with Orlando Antigua, then traveled to Louisville with Antigua and Chin Coleman to watch the top-ranked recruit last weekend.

Needless to say, the staff is ramping up its efforts — and fast.

“We’ve been in contact,” Dybantsa said. “They’ve been in contact with my dad, him and the assistants.”

Kentucky three-deep for ‘25 No. 1 AJ Dybantsa and ‘26 No. 1 Tyran Stokes

John Calipari, Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman pic.twitter.com/sMFQLNTG6I

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) December 3, 2023

And then there’s the Terrence Clarke connection, regularly calling the former Cat his “big brother” and “idol.”

“Everything is for him,” he previously told KSR. “I’m just trying to carry his legacy.”

That part is important to consider when you gauge Kentucky’s chances of landing the dynamic wing. Clarke spoke highly of Coach Cal and his time in Lexington in late conversations with Dybantsa. That goes a long way.

“Through him, I know they’re hard-working and play free, especially with the wings,” he said of his conversations with Clarke.

Dybantsa is an elite wing himself, and he’s playing alongside other elite talent at Prolific Prep, one of the best high school teams in the nation. That was by design, a conscientious decision when he made the move from Saint Sebastian’s School this past offseason. He knows he’s going to have to play with the best of the best in college and in the pros, why not start now?

“In practice, playing against all of these players every day is getting us better,” he said. “Playing with them is fun because not a lot of teams can stop everybody.”

That’s going to be something he considers when choosing a college.

“I know how to blend well,” he told KSR. “I know how to pass and do other things to get my teammates involved, so I don’t mind playing with other star power.”

#1 ranked AJ Dybantsa and #1 ranked Tyran Stokes just led Prolific Prep to a 35 point win 👀🔥@ProlificPrep @ADybantsa @tyran_stokes pic.twitter.com/cNyU70MCQk

— SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) December 9, 2023

That goes into how he’s looking to develop his game as he inches toward the professional ranks. Dybantsa doesn’t want to be an empty-stat-stuffing scorer who doesn’t contribute to winning. He wants to facilitate and make plays while also doing what he does well now.

“Getting my ball-handling tight and limiting turnovers, just making the right passes. Just staying poised. I don’t ever want to force anything,” he said. “(I’m working on) being more of a point guard with ball-handling and playmaking skills. I’ve been thinking about (my position at the next level). I might play point forward or just strictly shooting guard with my height.”

It’s all for his biggest priority as a basketball player.

“I just want to do whatever it takes to win,” Dybantsa said. “A win is all that matters.”