Insights on AJ Dybantsa’s Commitment to BYU Over Alabama, UNC, and Kansas
Alabama men’s basketball was in the running for AJ Dybantsa, but the top recruit ultimately committed to BYU.
Dybantsa, ranked as the No. 1 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class by the 247Sports Composite, is a 6-foot-9, 210-pound small forward. His final choices included UNC and Kansas, alongside Alabama and BYU.
On Tuesday, Dybantsa publicly announced his decision on ESPN, but BYU had already secured his commitment by signing a financial aid agreement in November during the early signing period, according to a BYU basketball spokesperson.
Sources familiar with the recruitment told AL.com that Dybantsa’s NIL package at BYU is worth several million dollars, a significant figure in basketball NIL deals, even by football standards.
Dybantsa shared a connection with Alabama assistant coach Preston Murphy, the Crimson Tide’s lead recruiter, who had previously coached him in AAU and scouted him as recently as last week. Additionally, Dybantsa’s father attended some Alabama games, including the UNC matchup in Chapel Hill on Dec. 4—after Dybantsa’s early signing agreement with BYU.
Despite missing out on Dybantsa, Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class is ranked No. 12 nationally by 247Sports. The Crimson Tide signed Davion Hannah, London Jemison, and Amari Allen.