BYU commit & top-ranked basketball prospect AJ Dybantsa explains his game & what players he emulates | The Kevin O'Connor Show
Kevin O’Connor is joined by Rivals #1 top prospect AJ Dybantsa, who recently committed to BYU for the 2025-2026 college basketball season. With a 7’1″ wingspan and a tenacious attitude on defense, it’s no wonder the young small forward is getting compared to Kawhi Leonard & Paul George. Dybantsa explains his game, his background & what players he hopes to emulate when he makes it to the NBA.
AJ Dybantsa joins Yahoo Sports on behalf of Red Bull.
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Video Transcript
Joining me now is AJ Dianza from Brockton, Massachusetts, upcoming number one ranked freshman going to BYU.
You’re gonna be top ranked player entering college, eventually, potentially the number one pick in the NBA draft.
Let’s use this as like a get to know you conversation.
So I’m curious, how would you introduce your game or describe your game to people who have never watched you play basketball before?
Um, I think I’m a simple player.
But I try to give the crowd what they want, but I try to play the right way.
What does that mean?
They’re a simple player, but you give the crowd what they want.
Like I try to be efficient, try to take the right shots, but I mean, I try to give highlight plays, highlight dunks, threes.
Let’s go through like some scouting report basics.
How tall are you?
How long is your wingspan?
I’m listed as 68, but my dad claims I really, I mean, you did me.
Like you walked in, I’ve been around.
You look more like 6’9.
You ever been?
I haven’t measured in a couple of months.
I might be and that’s shoes.
What’s yours.
OK, and you use that wings a lot to me, like when I watch you play, like you grew up in Brockton, Mass.
I grew up in Brockton, Mass.
We watched the Celtics growing up.
You remind me mindset wise, trash talk wise of KG we talk.
Is that?
I’m not talking wise, I’m talking like this ever said it as a compliment.
He’s one of the best, yeah.
Have you always been a trash talker?
I’m not really emotional.
I’m.
But if you talk to me, I’ll talk.
I see.
I mean, I think with you offensively, a lot of people will compare you to like a TA, as like as a classic NBA player.
Are there anybody that you would bring up yourself as a comparable for yourself?
Yeah, I think was probably the most accurate I’ve got, but I like for the two.
Paul George, I don’t see as much.
Paul.
Paul George is to it, but he’s like so cool when he’s the way you like.
What?
He likes it.
So it’s not really it’s like it’s like.
And with you, you’re what, 34 inches taller than him.
More size, you still have a good handle as well.
Do you feel like your handles tightened up a bit in recent years tighten up, but it can definitely I mean because we’re talking about like Paul being fluid, SGA being more jerky.
Have you recognized that in your game, or do you want to get more smooth on the floor?
like an eye.
Yeah, I mean, does that matter though if it’s if it works?
I mean, it’s working for me, but also you want to give what the fans want to see.
I see.
So you like being a crowd pleaser.
I see.
Have you always been that way?
What is it about it?
I’m just like I mean I’ve been like a exciting player, so that’s been like my style of game.
So I mean I just like giving the crowd a show.
