BYU Cougars star freshman AJ Dybantsa is preparing to begin his highly anticipated collegiate career at Provo. Dybantsa, who reclassified from 2026 to 2025, is considered the No. 1 prospect in his class, and the expectations around him are through the roof.
After a Sweet 16 elimination against Alabama last season, the Cougars are set to bounce back and make a deeper run in the NCAA tournament. Dybantsa already set his sights on a major goal, as he’s eager to take his team to the national championship.
During an interview at the 2025 NBA Summer League, the former Utah Prep star expressed his desire to make it to the top of the competition.
AJ Dybantsa’s BYU gets first-round schedule for ESPN tournament
“I think the only goal we’ve got in mind is winning a national championship,” Dybantsa told ESPN’s Jorge Sedano. “We got to the Sweet 16 last year as a first-year coach (Kevin Young), so I think we’re only gonna go farther.”
AJ Dybantsa
While that is a long shot, the forward is confident that his team can challenge for the title. But first, he’ll have to go through other challenges to make it to the championship game.
AJ Dybantsa and his BYU Cougars will participate in the ESPN Events Invitational in November. The FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup winner and Co. will travel to Orlando, Florida, and will begin their campaign against the Miami Hurricanes.
College basketball analyst Jon Rothstein reported on Tuesday that the duel between the Cougars and the Hurricanes would take place on Thanksgiving Day. If they move past the Hurricanes, Georgetown or Dayton will be waiting for them on Nov. 28.
