Duke recruit Cameron Boozer faces No. 1 ranked AJ Dybantsa in intense game
AJ Dybantsa faced off with the Boozer twins, Cameron and Cayden, in November 2023. While Dybantsa may be the No. 1 ranked recruit for the Class of 2025, it was the Boozers and their team who left victorious on the night.
The highly touted prospects' showdown is chronicled in dramatic fashion in episode two of Ballislife's "Dream Season," a new series that follows the 2023-24 Prolific Prep team through the ups and downs of the season. At the time of filming, Dybantsa played for Prolific Prep.
In a truly epic game of high school basketball, the No. 2 ranked Christopher Columbus High School Explorers just managed to beat Prolific Prep 81-78 in overtime after a stunning end to regulation.
You can watch the full episode here:
A game for the ages
The matchup was understandably hyped up due to the fact that the No. 1 prospect was going head-to-head with the No. 2 prospect in the Class of 2025—that is, AJ Dybantsa versus Cameron Boozer.
The two previously met in October 2023 when Boozer outshone Dybantsa, finishing with 25 points, 16 rebounds, and five assists. Dybantsa struggled with just 6 points and 7 rebounds. All that changed this time around as the No. 1 prospect lit it up from the field with a monster 35-point effort in front of some notable college coaches like Jim Larrañaga and John Calipari.
Cameron Boozer fouled out with 55.4 seconds left in the fourth quarter and finished with just 13 points.
Columbus rallies to beat AJ Dybantsa and Prolific Prep
With under two minutes remaining in regulation and Prolific Prep up by nine, the game looked dead and buried. Columbus had other ideas, though. The Explorers rallied, and a Cayden Boozer 3-pointer with just six seconds to go brought the Explorers within 1 point.
After Prolific Prep's Winters Grady hit a pair of free throws, Columbus had a chance to send the game to overtime. Senior guard Jase Richardson, the son of former NBA player Jason Richardson, pushed the ball upcourt and nailed a 3-pointer as regulation ended.
Columbus had the momentum going into overtime, and emerged victorious, securing a thrilling comeback win over Prolific Prep and Dybantsa.
Is this the beginning of a college rivalry? Hoops fans will certainly hope so. With the Boozer twins following their dad's path and committing to Duke, all eyes will be on AJ Dybantsa as he decides on his future.