BYU freshman AJ Dybtansa hasn’t set one foot on the court for his first — and most likely lone — year in college basketball, but he’s already penciled in as a superstar.
However, despite watching him dominate for Team USA during the U-19 FIBA World Cup, some of his critics are nitpicking and trying to look down on him and his nearly 17 points per game.
Some have questioned Dybantsa’s tendency to score when the game is already out of reach, as opposed to taking over from the jump. That’s why ESPN insider Fran Fraschilla took to X to set the record straight.
ESPN insider defends AJ Dybantsa
“I am seeing these subtle shots at @BYUMBB @usabjnt @AJ_Dybantsa by people watching the @FIBAWC U-19’s on their laptops & I’m smiling. No offense to some really great young teammates, but I watched him for a solid week in Colorado Springs. When AJ needed to dominate the scrimmages, everyone in the gym knew. USA is toying with inferior teams at the moment. He has a gift for letting teammates shine. Too early to make pronouncements,” he wrote.
BYU star AJ Dybantsa
Reports from Team USA scrimmages have been quite positive, with Dybantsa looking like a man among toddlers more often than not. Also, it’s not like he hasn’t done his job when he hasn’t scored.
At the end of the day, players will always have critics. And the only way to shut the doubters up once and for all will be to dominate in big moments, both in the tournament and in college.
