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"Don't care about the media too much": BYU signee AJ Dybantsa has one message for young hoopers
The No. 1 prospect in the 2025 class, AJ Dybantsa, has inspired many with his performances on the court. The small forward, who committed to the BYU Cougars, is currently in his senior year for Utah Prep and is representing the school at the Hoophall Classic Tournament.
The Instagram page of Hoophall Classic and NBA Future Starts Now collaborated to post an interview with AJ Dybantsa where he answered questions such as his all-time starting five, his basketball goal for the new year and more.
AJ Dybantsa was also asked to give a message for the young hoopers, to which he said:
"Stay at work and don't care about the media too much."
After considering offers from top programs including Alabama, Kansas State, Kansas, USC and more, he took official visits to USC, Auburn, Kansas State, Kansas, North Carolina, Alabama and BYU before choosing the Cougars.
Dybantsa played a key role in leading Team USA to two gold medals. In the 2023 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Merida, Mexico, Dybantsa produced impressive performances with 13.7 points and 3.8 assists. He won his second gold medal while averaging 14.1 points, 4.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds on 58.7% shooting. at the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup in Turkey
Furthermore, the Brockton, Massachusetts, native was also named the 2022-23 Gatorade Player of the Year when he played for St. Sebastian High School. He posted averages of 19.1 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.9 apg and 2.5 bpg.
Ace Dybantsa's advice to AJ Dybantsa
The 6-foot-9 small forward was accompanied by his father in a Q&A session with Andscape last month. The duo talked about various topics, including NIL deals, NBA plans and more.
During the interview, Ace Dybantsa talked about the value of the offers he received for his son after he rejected them twice.
"The third one, $900,000 to represent him. I’m like, ‘No,’" Ace said. "He said, ‘That’s almost a million dollars.’ ‘Why didn’t you just make it a cool million?’ What happen? I’m 56 years old. I was never a millionaire, not even once.
"He goes, ‘What’s your point?’ I said, ‘Well, if I waited 56 years, what is two more years? He just looked at me, shook his head and walked away.’ And I told [AJ] you are not for sale, so when they come to you, think about it."
AJ Dybantsa will be joined by Xavion Staton and Chamberlain Burgess in the 2025 class at BYU next season.
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