© Pamela Smith-Imagn Images
AJ Dybantsa is ready to be a star at BYU. The five-star phenom should be an immediate contributor as a freshman in Provo this coming season.
The hooper showed off his freakish athleticism while prepping for Year 1 with the Cougars. Rival fanbases were instantly triggered by his unreal hops.
Dybantsa’s story is well known by now. The top-ranked high school basketball prospect committed to play for BYU in the offseason. He is expected to be paid handsomely for his services.
BYU paid AJ Dybantsa millions with help from the Utah Jazz.
The 6-foot-9 forward rejected claims of a rumored $7 million NIL salary. It is assumed, however, that the number will fall between $4 and $5 million for what’s anticipated to be a single college season.
Jazz owner Ryan Smith and CEO of basketball operations Danny Ainge reportedly contributed to that total. Both alumnus of Brigham Young University, it’s believed they offered a blank check to land the nation’s top player.
It worked!
The Cougars used their new phenom to trigger rivals.
The program highlighted AJ Dybantsa’s insane vertical with a recent post online. A deceptive angle made his leap look even more unbelievable than it actually was.
y’all seeing this? pic.twitter.com/HT3trLO5Pi
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) July 29, 2025
The camera films from the floor looking up at Dybantsa’s jump. It sparked an immediate reaction.
“Can we see the 10-foot angle please?” one follower asked. “Yea, stop taking photos from the ground. It’s an illusion,” wrote another.
Deceptive or not, the vertical leap was impressive. Dybantsa’s hand is above the backboard. His head cleared the rim.
AJ Dybantsa has hops!
The forward’s put them on full display in the past.
He jumped over 6-foot-3 Angel Reese during a dunk contest at the McDonald’s All-American Game. He emulated Michael Jordan last year while playing for his Utah Prep high school basketball team.
There is no denying Dybantsa’s ability to fly to the rim. BYU might’ve been tactically misleading while showcasing that attribute.
It certainly did its part in riling up the haters!