The BYU Cougars are one of seven teams reportedly still in the running for AJ Dybantsa, the top high school prospect in the country and a player with legitimate superstar potential. But it sounds like landing the Utah Prep star is going to cost a pretty penny…or slightly more.
Dybantsa is expected to land an NIL package over $3 million, and a source close to the BYU program told Pete Nakos that the Cougars are prepared to pay $4-4.5M to land the 6’9 wing, with financial backing coming from Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith and executive and former BYU standout Danny Ainge.
Dybantsa wrapped up an official visit at BYU on Oct. 11, his fifth OV in the last six weeks. Previous visits included Kansas State, Kansas, North Carolina, and Alabama. Auburn and Baylor are the two other schools in Dybantsa’s top seven.
While Dybantsa’s father indicated NIL is not a driving factor in his son’s recruitment, the allure of staying in Utah and playing in the Big 12, and potentially teaming up with current teammate and four-star point guard prospect JJ Mandaquit, could lead to a seismic shift in the college basketball landscape.
Ever since former Phoenix Suns assistant coach Kevin Young took over for Mark Pope at BYU this offseason, the Cougars have gone to work bringing high profile talent to Provo. Russian guard and incoming freshman Egor Demin is considered a one-and-done talent, while Purdue decommit Kanon Catchings has that potential as well.
It appears Young has the green light to pursue anyone and everyone he can convince to join his program, no matter the cost. When NBA ownership groups are in your pocket, in this day and age, just about anything is possible on the hardwood.