A decision looms for No. 1 overall prospect A.J. Dybantsa
By SAM LANCE
MURRAY, KENTUCKY — The recruitment of 2025’s top prospect A.J. Dybantsa is coming to a close.
On Dec. 4, Dybantsa cut his list to four schools: Alabama, BYU, Kansas and North Carolina. A decision is now right around the corner. The talented forward was originally set to commit in February, but that timeline has moved up.
“A couple months ago [A.J.] asked me, ‘If I decide where I want to go do I have to wait until February?'” Ace Dybantsa, A.J.’s father, told ZAGSBLOG. “I said ‘No, just let me know. I’ll make a call and we’ll announce it.'”
In the early stages of Dybantsa’s recruitment, Ace played a big role. He was the communication line to all of the coaches before his list was cut to seven schools in August. Since then, Dybantsa has taken several official visits, including to all four of his finalists. Over the last few months, he’s been the one communicating with the schools and has been able to evaluate where he fits.
Still, Ace is happy the recruitment is coming to a close.
“Hopefully he will make up his mind by next week or sometime and focus on basketball,” Ace said.
Notorious recruitment news-breaker Trilly Donovan hinted the recruitment will end next week.
Most recently, Ace watched North Carolina take on Alabama in Chapel Hill on Dec. 4. If their schedule allows it, the Dybantsa’s would like to see some other games.
“We would like to go to a Kansas game, but just depending on the schedule,” Ace said.
In Murray, Dybantsa’s high school program Utah Prep is competing in a Grind Session event played at the CFSB Center, Murray State’s home court. During Friday’s action, Dybantsa scored 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. However, his Utah Prep squad fell short, 80-77. Alabama assistant coach Preston Murphy was courtside on Friday. He’s Dybantsa’s former AAU coach.
FINAL
— The Grind Session (@thegrindsession) December 7, 2024
Utah Prep (UT) 77
Dream City Christian (AZ) 80
Player of the Game: Ikenna Alozie 26p 6r 4a 1s
Brennan Peterson 14p 1r 1a
AJ Dybantsa 31p 10r 6a 1s 1b
Anthony Felesi 15p 7r 1a pic.twitter.com/Dn25RC2m6T
On Saturday, Dybantsa will face off against the No. 2 overall prospect in 2025, Darryn Peterson, and Prolific Prep. Kansas assistant Kurtis Townsend will be at the game, per Ace. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CT. Look out for an update with quotes from Dybantsa breaking down all of his finalists postgame.
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