Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George reveals the hooping skills that No. 1 recruit AJ Dybantsa needs to improve

By Rotsen Rick Tidoy

Modified Oct 28, 2024 19:52 GMT

AJ Dybantsa has been working out with some of the biggest basketball stars in the world. One of them was Paul George, who worked out with the No. 1 overall recruit from the Class of 2025 during Peach Jam in Augusta, Georgia, last summer.

AJ and PG-13 met once again, this time on George's "Podcast P" where the NBA All-Star had some advice for the high school baller.

Dybantsa talked about playing with the likes of LeBron James and Chris Paul and how different their styles were. However, the prodigy admitted that he has constantly been compared to George, especially as they play the same position.

This then led George to be asked to give AJ Dybantsa some constructive criticism based on their time playing together, particularly something the Utah Prep star could work on.

"When we work out, it wasn't runs, it was, you know, one-on-one, you know kind of drill skill work. But I think one of the things we were trying to work on was, just cuz he's got all the tools, he's explosive, he's bouncy, he's quick first step, balls on the string," said Paul George. "I think one of the things, and he mentioned it a little bit, was just staying a little playing lower, learning how to play a little lower.

"That was the only thing that I could really nitpick on is being this, with being lower to the ground and you know, because at the next level you know for us, we got to handle the ball so much," he added.

Paul George further said:

"Defenders get craftier, defenders get smarter, they get tricker, trickier like you got to face the Jrue Holiday, you gotta face Chris Paul, you gotta face the Marcus Smart, like the shorter guards," said Paul George. "You gotta learn to play in crowds with when you're at their advantage. So how do you make it towards your advantage?"

Paul George also added that AJ Dybantsa has to be more effective with his dribbles and use that big body of his to his advantage.

Paul George says "the sky is the limit" for AJ Dybatntsa

When working out with Dybantsa, George has been impressed with the high schooler, adding that the criticisms he just said were more like nitpicks. He then complimented him and said:

"The sky is the limit for AJ."

George and Dybantsa then said that they could not play one-on-one but admitted they should have done so.

The five-star recruit has narrowed down his choice of colleges to play for to six. Having received offers from way more programs earlier, this is a significant step forwards for the teenager.