SPRINGFIELD ― AJ Dybantsa did not disappoint in his return to Springfield.
The No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2025 put on a show in his third and final Hoophall Classic appearance, but Utah Prep (UT) ultimately lost to Montverde Academy (FL), 74-60 on Sunday at the 2025 Hoophall Classic.
Dybantsa played a key role in Utah’s second-half comeback, scoring 17 of his 25 points and helping Utah trim its 27-point halftime deficit.
The Brockton native willed his team on both ends of the court and his teammates responded as Utah managed to get within striking distance in the fourth.
But Montverde Academy’s lead proved too much for Utah to overcome.
The packed crowd at Blake Arena roared and cheered in support of their newly adopted team. Dybantsa noted his appreciation for the home crowd’s support and how their energy pushed him even harder to climb back into the game.
“We were down big, so I mean, if you’re (going to) lose, lose with a fight,” Dybantsa said after the game. “Don’t get embarrassed.”
Earlier last month, Dybantsa announced his commitment to play college basketball at BYU next year. As the highest-ranked basketball recruit to ever commit to BYU – and as the new record-holder for the largest NIL deal in history – Dybantsa is well aware of the lofty expectations on his shoulders heading into what will almost certainly be his only year as a Cougar.
But Dybantsa is not shying away, he’s ready to leave his mark and fashion a new basketball legacy at BYU – and he’s not doing it alone, with his new teammate at Utah Prep, Xavion Staton (No. 34 recruit in the Class of 2025), also committed to play at BYU next year.
“It should be good, I mean with (coach Kevin Young) there, what he’s doing right now, it’s just (going to be) good,” Dybantsa said. “Y’all are gonna see a lot of excitement next year.”
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