NBA scout hails AJ Dybantsa "next best thing in basketball out of Wenbanyama" after 43-point show against Boozer twins
AJ Dybantsa, currently ranked as the best player in the nation, faced off against the second-best prospect Cameron Boozer and his twin brother Cayden Boozer on Sunday. Playing for Utah Prep, where he transferred midway through high school, Dybantsa showed an array of moves from all areas of the floor.
The 6-foot-9 forward dropped 43 points, six rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks in the game, prompting NBA scout Reese Holliday to speak highly of the wing:
"This is the best next best thing in basketball outside of Wenbanyama. im sorry, it had to be said. kid pushing 6’10 now moving like this with an elite motor and competitiveness," Holliday said on X/Twitter.
Despite AJ Dybantsa’s humungous performance, the Boozer twins held on for the win. The Columbus Explorers’ stars combined for 72 points as Cayden posted 30 points, nine assists, three rebounds and two steals, while Cameron scored 42 points, 15 rebounds, five blocks and five assists.
It didn’t take long before they took the game's momentum, winning 95-76 in the end. Moreover, despite the highly-anticipated clash, Carlos Boozer’s sons maintained a certain poise throughout the game, churning only two combined turnovers throughout their high-scoring performance.
AJ Dybantsa will be one of the last players from 2025 talent pool to declare college commitment
Alongside being the best recruit in the 2025 class, AJ Dybantsa is also the frontrunner to be the top pick in the 2026 NBA draft. With that, the Utah Prep senior and the fourth-best EYBL scorer has gripped his recruitment cycle even more.
Dybantsa plans to yield his commitment next year, prompting schools to stay on the course of his recruitment. While speaking to The Athletic’s Brendan Marks, his father Ace Dybantsa said he will finalize his college in February 2025. Furthermore, the extended timeline comes in light of Black History Month.
A similar delay may be witnessed for the Boozer twins as well. The two have not only maintained silence in their preferred programs but have also not shared a possible timeline for their decision.
Additionally, they have separated themselves from the notion of being a packaged deal, adding another twist to their recruitment cycle.
Where do you think AJ Dybantsa and the Boozer twins will end up playing their college ball next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.