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"People don't compete with March Madness": BYU signee AJ Dybantsa had a sharp response to CFB insider's critique of college basketball

Modified Dec 15, 2024 13:33 GMT

AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2025, has signed with the BYU Cougars. Dybantsa has been seen in several videos and podcasts talking about his move and what's next for him.

Dybantsa also appeared in a video posted by American sports personality Stephen A. Smith this week, accompanied by his father Ace Dybantsa. Smith talked about college basketball losing its popularity even with the March Madness craze and asked for AJ Dybantsa's take on the topic.

"I just watch it and I love it (college basketball). I don't think it's less, I mean it's still good, it's still college basketball, right? (Just) like you said it's still March Madness, people don't compete with March Madness," said Dybantsa. (27:36 - 27:43)

Furthermore, Dybantsa emphasized the three-step process.

"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." (42:21)

Dybantsa has previously talked about one day being in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. In an interview on Says Who Sports in September, Dybantsa said:

“My goal … is to be a Hall of Famer. So, until I‘ve done that, there’s no point of just boasting. … Once you are a Hall of Famer, you know you made it.”

Also read: "The Hall of Fame speech is step three': BYU commit AJ Dybantsa lays down an elaborate career plan beyond the NBA

AJ Dybantsa commends BYU head coach Kevin Young

With AJ Dybantsa's aim of playing in the NBA and being in the Hall of Fame, he stated how important Kevin Young and his staff were when he made the decision to join the Cougars.

His final four teams were Alabama, North Carolina, Kansas and BYU before he committed to the Cougars on Dec. 10.

“Kevin Young was an NBA coach, so he is telling me that he will bring a lot of NBA styles and concepts to the program. He told me that he thought he would be a good coach to help me get to that next level," he said.

“It’s good that he has NBA experience. I mean, I’m trying to get to the NBA, so anyone that has NBA experience or anyone that has brought people to the NBA or coached in the NBA is going to have knowledge for that."

AJ Dybantsa will now be accompanied by Xavion Staton and Chamberlain Burgess on Kevin Young's side from the 2025 class.