AJ Dybantsa Chooses BYU Over Alabama, UNC, and Kansas
In a highly anticipated decision, AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 overall recruit for the 2025 class, has chosen to play for BYU. Dybantsa, a 6-9, 210-pound small forward, had narrowed his options down to BYU, Alabama, UNC, and Kansas. Despite strong interest from the Crimson Tide and other major programs, Dybantsa announced his commitment on ESPN Tuesday.
Interestingly, Dybantsa had already signed a financial aid agreement with BYU in November during the early signing period, a move confirmed by a BYU spokesperson. While this deal had been in place for some time, the announcement solidified his commitment to the Cougars. Sources familiar with his recruitment revealed that Dybantsa’s NIL package at BYU is believed to be worth multi-million dollars, a significant figure in the college basketball landscape.
Alabama had been a strong contender for Dybantsa’s services. The Crimson Tide’s assistant coach Preston Murphy, who had previously coached Dybantsa during AAU ball, played a key role in recruiting the star. Murphy had been closely following Dybantsa’s performances, including a recent game, and Dybantsa’s father also attended some of Alabama’s games, such as the Dec. 4 matchup against UNC. However, despite these connections, Dybantsa ultimately decided to join BYU.
Even without Dybantsa, Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class remains strong, ranked No. 12 nationally by 247Sports. The Crimson Tide has signed promising recruits like Davion Hannah, London Jemison, and Amari Allen, keeping their future in the spotlight.