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Paul Biancardi, Basketball Recruiting
A.J. Dybantsa, the No. 1 prospect in the 2025 class, has narrowed his list of schools, telling ESPN he is considering Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, BYU, Kansas, Kansas State and North Carolina.
Dybantsa, who has visited Auburn, says he plans to make official visits to the rest of the schools on his list ahead of his college decision in the winter.
“I’m looking to build a relationship with a head coach who doesn’t sugarcoat anything, but we can still have that bond both on and off the court,” he said. “[We can] talk about things on and off the court and play to my strengths while helping me with my weaknesses.
“The list is based on the coaches who spoke with my dad the most. I will decide in February.”
Dybantsa is in the midst of a whirlwind spring and summer. He transferred high schools, won a gold medal with Team USA in the FIBA U17 World Cup and joined the high-powered Oakland Soldiers on the showcase circuit.
The 6-foot-9, 205-pound wing was dominant this summer. He averaged 22.6 points and led the Elite Youth Basketball League with 197 points in transition. Dybantsa shot 82% at the line over 173 attempts and shot 38% from beyond the arc in catch-and-shoot situations, per Synergy Sports.
Soon, the former Prolific Prep star will travel with his new high school team, Utah Prep, to Shanghai, China, for games against teams from Serbia, Japan and Australia in an event hosted by the Shanghai Sharks from Aug. 6-11 that is as much an educational trip as a basketball one.
When he returns, it’s crunch time for teams vying for the potential top pick in the 2026 NBA draft.
“These are the pillars that will define my choice for a program,” Dybantsa said. “[It needs to be] family-oriented, a winning program, offer development both on the court and in their strength program, and for me to be one-and-done and ready to impact.”
And just how much will NIL impact Dybantsa’s decision?
“It’s a factor, but it’s not the reason we are picking a school,” said Anicet “Ace” Dybantsa, A.J.’s father. “We left out schools that have a lot of money. A.J. will go where he feels he can have the most success on the court.”
ESPN spoke to both Dybantsa and his father for their thoughts on each program of the final seven programs on his list.
A.J.: “I was coached by [current Alabama assistant coach] Preston Murphy as a freshman when I was with Expressions in the EYBL. We spoke with coach Nate Oats and he feels the Brandon Miller comparisons are real. I watched Miller in college, he has a lot of Paul George in him. He’s one of the better young players in the NBA. If Victor Wembanyama wasn’t in the draft, Miller could’ve been the Rookie of the Year and No. 1 pick in 2023. Their play style fits my game.”
A.J.: “I took an official visit there in March. After my visit, they think I can be compared to Jabari Smith and Isaac Okoro.”
Ace: “Bruce Pearl is from Sharon, Mass. It’s 15 minutes away from where we live in Brockton. We like his style. We went to a game during break. There were no students on campus and the game was sold out. We like the vibes. Coach Pearl is a no-nonsense guy.”
A.J.: “They believe I can have as good of a season or better than Ja’Kobe Walter. The play style is similar. Scott Drew and [former associate head coach] John Jakus came to Prolific Prep. Jakus is now the head coach at FAU. I watched Baylor growing up. They had great success with Jared Butler, Davion Mitchell and recently Keyonte George.”
A.J.: “After my unofficial visit and conversations with Coach [Kevin Young], he can bring me in and play me like a pro with his knowledge of the NBA with the [Phoenix] Suns and taking it to BYU. He also mentioned he coached Joel Embiid. He knows what he’s talking about. It’s a big campus and facility.”
A.J.: “When I look at their history, they also have a track record of guys in my position in the NBA. I talked to Bill Self and coach Kurtis Townsend. Coach Townsend has come to Prolific Prep a few times. They had Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Oubre and Josh Jackson. They have had great runs of success. They say it’s loud in there [at Phog Allen Fieldhouse].”
A.J.: “I talked with Jerome Tang. He told me his guys play with a lot of freedom, but it’s also in a system that is geared toward winning. “
Ace: “Tang went to Istanbul, Turkey, to see A.J. I like the fact he understands A.J. is a good decision-maker, an extension of the coaching staff. He will allow A.J. to play to his strength. I have a good feel for people, and I trust Coach Tang.”
A.J.: “Great track record of bringing in guys with my playing style in the NBA. It was an easy choice to visit. Obviously, my goal is to be in the NBA. They have had guys with a track record of play like my position [that] went one-and-done. Of course, they had Michael Jordan and coach Roy Williams was coaching there before coach Hubert Davis. I see Kenny the Jet [Smith] at the EYBL game, and he keeps yelling “Carolina Blue.” I spoke with Coach Davis a few times. He is a cool dude. He has been part of sending guys to the NBA.”