Somewhere amid the hype of top-ranked prep basketball star A.J. Dybantsa’s life, he might just hit the links.
Dybantsa took center stage on Tuesday when his signing with BYU became public. The Massachusetts native moved to Utah for his final year of high school, and Dybantsa’s coach, Justin Yamzon, told the Epoch Times that the 17-year-old “might want to spend more time” on the golf course, too.
“He’s a great student-athlete, and I think he’s really finding balance with being in Utah on the outdoor activities and golf courses available around here,” said Yamzon, who coaches at Utah Prep Academy.
Dynasty joined the private school in Hurricane, Utah, that competes nationally in high school basketball. The players compete against top talent while still taking a full load of in-person classes during the school day and online when traveling.
“Normal high school, there might be a couple of teams at the bottom of the league where you might get to, you know, have a so-called night off,” Yamzon said. “But when playing a national schedule, like you’re playing … top 100 guys every night.”
“But you know, the way he’s able to dominate … just shows just really how talented he is,” Yamzon added.
Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 and 196-pound wing, averages 14 points and 14 rebounds per game for Utah Prep. He can play like a guard, which shows in his five assists and three steals per game.
His prep career began in Needham, Massachusetts, where he played for St. Sebastian’s School. Dybantsa won Gatorade Player of the Year with St. Sebastian when he tallied 19.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game in 2022-2023.
His next stop will keep him in Utah at a program that isn’t considered a blue blood of college basketball amid 30 tournament appearances but no Final Fours. Dybantsa chose BYU, turning down offers from Alabama, Kansas, Kansas State, and North Carolina.
It didn’t surprise Yamzon, who pointed out the NBA experience on staff at BYU. Cougars head coach Kevin Young once coached NBA stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, for instance.
In addition, Cougars strength and conditioning coach Michael Davis and director of nutrition Danielle LaFata both worked in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns, respectively. Dybantsa talked about Young and the aforementioned BYU staffers during his interview with ESPN on Tuesday morning when he announced his commitment.
“Yeah, I mean, like he said, everybody on staff there is, you know, has had or spent time in the NBA, and ultimately, that’s his goal,” Yamzon said. “And, you know, I think he feels that’s the best fit for him and his future moving forward. And we’re just super excited for him and proud of all that he’s accomplished, and wish him the best of luck when he goes to BYU.”
