"Don't let me and p5 be onna same squad": BYU signee AJ Dybantsa jokes about Paulo Banchero and him linking up in the NBA

By Rey Alcaraz

Modified Dec 15, 2024 15:02 GMT

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AJ Dybantsa made headlines this week when he signed with BYU, turning down offers from blue blood programs such as Kansas and North Carolina. A factor in his decision was a record-breaking NIL deal, which was reported to be valued at just under $7 million.

The top recruit in the country, Dybantsa has already been considering playing alongside Paolo Banchero at the Orlando Magic. In an appearance on ESPN's "First Take," he mentioned Orlando as one of the places he would love to play.

He also doubled down on this opinion on Instagram sparking fan discussions about his future and possible teams he could land up at. Dybantsa shared one such post to his Instagram stories, adding the message:

"Don't let me and p5 be onna same squad."

AJ Dybantsa teases wanting to play with Paolo Banchero on the Orlando Magic (image credit: Dybantsa's IG)

When asked by Stephen A. Smith about the possible teams he wanted to join, Dybantsa responded:

"Spurs and Magic. ... Paolo is my guy. I think me and Paolo would just go crazy together."

BYU signee AJ Dybantsa builds his perfect NBA player

Crush In The Valley 2 Grind Session Napa Basketball Showcase - Accelerated Prep v Prolific Prep - Source: Getty

This week, AJ Dybantsa was featured in a SportsCenter NEXT video where he built his ideal NBA player. His metrics were based on scoring, passing, defense, game IQ, and athleticism.

AJ Dybantsa’s picks for his “perfect NBA player” showed the skills he admires most in the game. For scoring, he chose Kevin Durant due to his ability to score from anywhere on the court. For facilitating, he opted for John Stockton, a player acclaimed for his great vision and smart decision-making. And on defense, Dybantsa picked Kawhi Leonard, known for shutting down opponents.

For game IQ, Dybantsa chose LeBron James, praising his ability to read the game and make winning plays. Although he wanted LeBron for athleticism too, Dybantsa picked Giannis Antetokounmpo, impressed by his combo of strength, speed, and dominance.

Like the players above, Dybantsa also has dreams of making the Hall of Fame one day. He said as much to Stephen A. Smith when discussing his future plans, following his BYU announcement:

"I mean it's just a blessing but it's only one step closer," Dybantsa said. "I told my dad it's a three-step process. This is only step one. The draft will be step two and the Hall of Fame speech is step three."

There's obviously a long way to go, but Dybantsa's development will be something to keep an eye on.