Future Starts Now

Beyond the Hardwood: Inside the rise of AJ Dybantsa

After a highlight-filled summer, the Class of 2025 prospect is ready for a big high school season.

Luke Akinsola, for NBA.com

High school phenom AJ Dybantsa has accomplished a lot by the age of 16.

Ball is truly life for Anicet “AJ” Dybantsa Jr.

The 6-foot-8 wing from Brockton, Massachusetts has been prepping for the spotlight for years, even though he’s only 16. His natural skillset and obsession for the game are reasons why he’s regarded as one of the premier amateur prospects in the world. Basketball consumes Dybantsa from the inside out – so much so, that he has difficulty finding hobbies outside of it.

“I really don’t have [other] hobbies,” Dybantsa said. “I don’t play video games. If I’m not playing basketball, I’m watching basketball. If I watch a [Netflix] show, I’m sleeping through it. I can’t watch anything else.”

Middle school summers for Dybantsa consisted of a trifecta of workouts all before 2 p.m. – skill development, lift, then shooting sessions. Then a nightcap of summer league games.

Those dog days back then led to one of the most impactful summers in recent memory by a high school prospect. In a span of two months, Dybantsa:

  • Led all scorers at the Nike Peach Jam event, averaging 26 points and six rebounds (played up two age groups)
  • Led the NBPA Top 100 Camp in scoring despite being one of two rising sophomores that participated
  • Won the Gatorade Player of the Year in Massachusetts as a freshman
  • Earned a gold medal on Team USA’s U16 team during the FIBA World Cup
  • Joined forces with the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and Paul George for offseason workouts

“It was a big summer,” Dybantsa said. “Just going into different camps and showing why I’m considered one of the best in the country. Anywhere I go, I’m trying to showcase my talents. Working out with the pros was a good experience because people don’t see how they manipulate the game on the court, it’s not just their skillset. It all taught me a lot and I think it’ll elevate my game.”

Dybantsa’s journey

Continual improvement is a non-negotiable for Dybantsa. As a freshman last winter, Dybantsa led St. Sebastian’s School to the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Class A title game, averaging 19 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks. Stuffing the stat sheet and steering the ship to the Explorers’ 26-2 record wasn’t enough, however.

Dybantsa decided to reclassify up to the class of 2025 and transfer to Prolific Prep – a basketball hotbed in Napa that has recently produced pros such as Toronto Raptors wing Gary Trent Jr. and Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green. Prolific head coach Ryan Bernardi says Dybantsa is as focused and detail-oriented as they come, but the raw talent is also undeniable.

“I think AJ is one of the most uniquely talented people that I’ll ever be a part of,” Bernardi said. “He’s extremely versatile – he can guard one through five, he’s 6’8 with 7’1 wingspan and moves like a one or a two. He’s an elite playmaker that also has a knack of putting the ball in the basket.”

Dybantsa takes pride in his playmaking ability, noting he feels like this specific skill is part of what separates him from the uber-talented pack of premier high school prospects. Intangibles like playing with a high motor, being unselfish and being disciplined are traits that were honed in the beginning for Dybantsa, especially discipline.

Accountability is key

AJ’s father, Anicet ‘Ace’ Dybantsa Sr., is a campus police officer at Boston University. Dybantsa Sr. was born in the Congo but grew up in Paris, while AJ’s mom – Chelsea, is from Jamacia. The structured, no-nonsense nature of the Dybantsa parents directly correlates to their only son’s work ethic and high motor.

“AJ has that rare combination … I call it Jafrican,” Dybantsa Sr. said jokingly. “I have two daughters too and when they were younger, they all used to do push-ups … 50 in the morning and 50 in the evening for AJ. I work nights, so I’m not home and they thought they would get away with not doing their pushups at night. Guess what I did – had a camera system in the house where they would do pushups, so you couldn’t cheat. My wife wasn’t happy, but I told her I knew what I was doing.”

A punishment of doubling the total would be enforced if the Dybantsa kids didn’t do their pushups. Missing out on this workout was rarely the case, however, since it was so ingrained in their routine.

Even in 2018, Dybantsa Sr. sent AJ and his two sisters to Paris to stay with his brother, who was confused when they would wake up every morning to knock their pushups out, fearing their dad would find out somehow.

“I’m big in accountability,” Dybantsa Sr. said. “If you don’t do this, this is going to happen to you. Ask AJ how many times I took his phone for not doing what I told him to do.”

Holding himself accountable has allowed AJ to focus on becoming the best basketball player and person he can be – a direct result of the shepherding of his parents. For the future, Dybantsa Sr. says all avenues to the NBA will be explored, including suiting up for the G League Ignite.

Chelsea and Dybantsa Sr. are taking the hands-off approach by letting AJ make the decision that he deems best for himself when the time comes, admitting he’s leaning towards taking the college route.

In the meantime? Dybantsa is only focused on one thing.

“Playing the game simple, playing the right way and winning the National Championship at Geico.”

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