AJ Dybantsa stats: How did the No. 1 recruit perform in the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup

By Aman Sharma

Modified Jul 08, 2024 14:51 GMT

AJ Dybantsa, the top recruit for the class of 2025, delivered a standout performance at the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup in Turkey. The 6-foot-8 guard demonstrated his versatile skill set in the tournament as Team USA went unbeaten yet again to clinch gold.

Dybantsa averaged 14.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, adding 1.6 steals per contest. His efficiency was notable, shooting 58.7% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc.

Team USA, led by Cameron Boozer, the tournament MVP, secured its seventh consecutive gold medal with a commanding 129-88 victory over Italy on Sunday. Boozer's stellar performance included 24 points and 13 rebounds in the final. Reflecting on their success, forward Koa Peat said:

"To come out here after all the hard work we put in and to be able to go down as, I think, the best U17 team ever, it’s been great."

From the opening tip-off, AJ Dybantsa and his teammates forced turnovers, executed crisp passes and capitalized on fast breaks. Their relentless full-court press helped build a solid lead, with the first quarter ending at 32-19. By halftime, the USA was ahead 73-36, thanks to a combined 49 points from Boozer, Dybantsa and Peat. All three were named to the tournament's All-Star Five.

AJ Dybantsa narrows college choices as the top 2025 prospect

AJ Dybantsa, the premier recruit for the class of 2025, is approaching the final phase of his high school recruitment. The 200-pound forward from Brockton, Massachusetts, is set to trim his extensive list of nearly 30 college offers to a select few.

Dybantsa plans to start narrowing down his choices and building connections with those programs.

"My dad handles all of my recruitment, but I'm 30 offers in and hopefully I'll get a little bit more. Then, I'm narrowing it down after Peach Jam," he told 247Sports.

AJ Dybantsa aims to visit six or seven schools, scheduling these visits for September and October. In an interview with Andscape, Dybantsa displayed a mature perspective on his top ranking and the associated hype.

"I don't personally care," he said. "It's good that I'm on there, but I don't personally care about my ranking. It's just a number. I'm not there [the NBA] yet. I'm not where I want to be yet. There have been No. 1s that have fallen off. I don't know why people would get big-headed."

Seen as a frontrunner for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft, AJ Dybantsa will transfer to Utah Prep in Hurricane, Utah, for his final high school year, moving from Prolific Prep in San Francisco. His U17 World Cup teammate, JJ Mandaquit, will join him at Utah Prep.