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BYU basketball recruiting: 3 standouts Kevin Young should pursue after AJ Dybantsa's commitment
Consensus No. 1 high school basketball recruit AJ Dybantsa's commitment has elevated the BYU men’s basketball program. The 6-foot-9 wing made his decision public on ESPN's First Take, revealing his choice of the Cougars over powerhouse programs like Alabama, Kansas and North Carolina.
His announcement represents a transformative moment for BYU, as Dybantsa becomes the first-ever consensus top recruit across 247Sports, On3, Rivals and ESPN to pledge to the program.
Dybantsa’s addition to the 2025 recruiting class, which already includes four-star forward Chamberlain Burgess from Orem and Las Vegas big man Xavion Staton, sets a new bar for Young’s recruiting capabilities.
Staton was previously the highest-rated recruit to sign with BYU during the 247Sports era, but Dybantsa’s commitment reshapes the program's narrative. With this momentum, Coach Young has a golden opportunity to elevate BYU basketball by targeting additional elite prospects.
3 standouts Kevin Young should pursue after AJ Dybantsa:
#1. Caleb Wilson
Caleb Wilson, a 6-foot-10 power forward from Holy Innocents Episcopal School in Atlanta, Georgia, has emerged as a rising star in high school basketball. Weighing 205 pounds, Wilson possesses a unique blend of size, skill and versatility.
During the 2024 season, Wilson averaged 24.0 points and 16.0 rebounds per game. Wilson’s defensive presence is equally impressive, averaging 2.0 steals and 4.0 blocks per game.
He averaged 8.3 rpg during the Nike EYBL and 7.3 rpg at the NBPA Top 100 camp, solidifying his standing among the best in his class.
#2. JJ Mandaquit
JJ Mandaquit, a skilled 6-foot-1 point guard from Utah Prep, represents a promising addition to BYU’s backcourt. Weighing 196 pounds, Mandaquit combines agility, vision and leadership to excel as a floor general.
Mandaquit averaged 22 ppg this season. Defensively, Mandaquit’s tenacity shone through with 2.5 spg.
#3. Darryn Peterson
Darryn Peterson, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Prolific Prep, is another high-impact recruit worth pursuing.
Last season, Peterson averaged 18.5 ppg while shooting an impressive 42% from beyond the arc. His ability to stretch the floor would be invaluable for BYU, creating spacing and opportunities for their post and perimeter players.
Basketball analyst Paul Biancardi praised Peterson’s offensive arsenal:
“The Prolific Prep guard is an exceptional scorer. He has positional size, shooting touch, range, footwork, and playmaking talent. It’s hard to keep him out of the lane.”
His potential is reflected in his No. 3 ranking in the 2025 class and an NIL valuation of $524,000, making him a sought-after prospect nationally.
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