PROVO, UT — AJ Dybantsa didn’t just meet the hype on Friday night; he rose above it—literally. The BYU standout delivered the definitive highlight of the college basketball season, punctuating an 85-67 win over Abilene Christian with a putback slam that nearly took the basket off its stanchion. The freshman phenom scored a career-best 35 points, proving why scouts have him circled in red for the upcoming draft.
The Dunk Heard ‘Round the Big 12
The sequence that set social media on fire happened midway through the second half. Following a missed jumper from the wing, Dybantsa cleared the floor from the opposite block, outleaping two defenders to snatch the ball out of the air. He didn’t just secure the rebound; he flushed it back with a violent one-handed finish that left the Marriott Center in a frenzy.
Dybantsa was nearly perfect from the floor, hitting 75% of his shots (9-for-12) and living at the charity stripe. His ability to create space and finish through contact has transformed the BYU offense into a legitimate threat in a crowded conference landscape.
What They Said
“I saw the ball hit the rim and just knew I had the angle. In this league, you have to be aggressive on every possession. The points are great, but the win is what matters for our seeding.”
— AJ Dybantsa, BYU Forward
“We’ve seen him do incredible things in practice, but that dunk changed the entire energy of the building. He’s a special talent who understands the moment.”
— Kevin Young, BYU Head Coach
NBA Draft Stock Rising
While Cooper Flagg and Cameron Boozer have dominated the national conversation, Dybantsa’s recent stretch is making the “Race for No. 1” a three-man sprint. His 35-point outburst marks his fourth game this season with 25+ points. Unlike many freshmen who struggle with efficiency, Dybantsa is shooting over 50% from the field on the year.
With the Big 12 Tournament approaching, BYU sits in a prime position to secure a top-4 seed. If Dybantsa continues to play at this level, the Cougars aren’t just a tournament team—they are a Final Four dark horse.
