AJ Dybantsa has attracted significant attention by joining a select group of five-star recruits who chose to bypass traditional blue blood basketball programs. Instead of committing to schools such as Duke, Kentucky, or North Carolina, Dybantsa decided to play for the BYU Cougars, a choice that has stirred conversations across social media platforms.
This decision aligns Dybantsa with notable players like Anthony Edwards, who similarly opted for non-blue blood programs, challenging long-standing recruiting trends. The commitment of such high-profile recruits to less historical powerhouse programs signals a shift in college basketball recruiting dynamics.
The growing trend of elite recruits choosing unconventional programs
AJ Dybantsa’s decision follows a pattern established by several top-tier players who have avoided blue blood schools in recent years. The list includes Anthony Edwards (Georgia), Ace Bailey (Rutgers), Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State), Trae Young (Oklahoma), Dylan Harper (Rutgers), Darius Garland (Vanderbilt), Jalen Green (G League Ignite), Jason Crowe Jr. (UCLA), Michael Porter Jr. (Missouri), GG Jackson (South Carolina), Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Milwaukee), and Cody Williams (Colorado).
By pledging to BYU, Dybantsa becomes the highest-rated recruit in the school’s history. At 6-foot-9 and widely regarded as one of the premier talents in the 2025 recruiting class, his arrival has brought national attention and fresh optimism to the Cougars’ basketball program.
Fans expressed varied opinions on this recruiting trend online, with some applauding the shift. One fan remarked,
“This is what 5 stars are naturally supposed to do. No different than the worst NBA teams getting the best prospects in the draft.”
Others noted skepticism about the reasons behind these decisions.
“Half of these players went diff route because of family being hired on staff. If it wasn’t for that they would be at blue blood lmao,”
a user commented, while another added,
“Hope this keeps happening. Keeps it interesting.”
Not all responses were positive, with some pointing to challenges encountered by these recruits. One fan observed,
“Those routes all came with mid seasons,”
and bluntly stated,
“And every single one of them made a mistake.”
AJ Dybantsa building team chemistry as BYU prepares for the season
Following a busy summer that included representing the United States at the FIBA U-19 World Cup and participating in NIL-related activities, Dybantsa has returned to the BYU campus to train with his new teammates. He has noticed promising signs of unity despite limited time together.
“We had a couple practices last week,” Dybantsa said in an interview with Deseret. “It was optional, but a lot of us opted in. For people who haven’t played together for long, I can definitely see the chemistry getting along … it was just crazy that we haven’t played (together) a lot and the chemistry was still there.”
—AJ Dybantsa, BYU Forward
With strong anticipation surrounding his arrival, Dybantsa looks poised to play a significant role in helping BYU pursue a successful campaign in the upcoming basketball season.
Implications of recruitment shifts for college basketball
AJ Dybantsa’s commitment to BYU highlights a growing willingness among top recruits to consider non-traditional programs, which could alter the landscape of college basketball recruitment. As elite players continue to evaluate opportunities beyond the historic blue blood schools, programs like BYU stand to gain enhanced competitiveness and national recognition.
This evolving trend may inspire other prospects to explore diverse pathways, potentially leading to a more balanced distribution of talent across college basketball. For BYU, landing Dybantsa is a milestone that not only elevates its program’s profile but could also attract future high-level recruits who see value in forging new routes in their basketball careers.