AJ Dybantsa could’ve gone anywhere. With college basketball giants like Duke, North Carolina, and Kentucky knocking on his door, the five-star forward had the kind of attention most high school players only dream about. But instead of following the typical path paved by blue-blood programs, Dybantsa made a decision that turned heads: he’s taking his talents to Brigham Young University. As expected, the basketball world has been buzzing with reactions to the five-star phenom’s bombshell commitment. But the case isn’t the same with him.

Just hours after the biggest announcement of his young career, AJ Dybantsa took a moment to shine a light on someone else’s win. He reposted a story on Instagram from Jamari Antoine, a talented guard from Thayer Academy, who had just committed to Lasell University. AJ simply added three words that said it all: “Congrats my dawg.”

It was short. It was simple. But for those who’ve followed their journey, it hit deep. Behind those three words was a history of battles on the court, mutual respect, and a brotherhood built through basketball in the Boston area.

In case you’re unaware of Antoine, he’s one of the standout players at Thayer. Remember the team’s 77–55 NEPSAC win? It was Antoine who contributed 17 points and carved out a name for himself on the New England prep scene.

So, while Antoine played for Thayer, Dybantsa was his rival at Utah Prep. But putting that rivalry aside, Dybantsa took a moment to appreciate the emerging player. Well, this isn’t the first time Dybantsa has actively supported his fellow players.

For AJ Dybantsa, relationships are a part of growth!

When it comes to his relationships with fellow top players, AJ Dybantsa knows how to balance friendship and competition. And before commenting about Antoine, it was shown during the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit. Of Darryn Peterson, another rising star and USA Basketball teammate, AJ simply said: “Cold, bro. He’s nice… what you see on the internet is what he is in real life.”

They’ve been on the same teams before, and Dybantsa made it clear, camaraderie off the court doesn’t mean pulling punches on it. “We’re friends, but on the court, you’re not trying to lose,” he laughed. “You’re trying to go out there and kill.”

So be it on or off the court, Dybantsa is a strong friend and a leader! Just consider him speaking to HoopsHype wherein he gave a glimpse of how far he’s come and what kind of teammate he’s become. At the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit in April, Dybantsa balled out for Team USA, dropping 24 points, snagging six rebounds, and dishing five assists in a 124-114 overtime win. He wasn’t just a scorer—he was locking down on defense and setting up his squad, proving he’s a leader who makes everyone better.

Last year, Dybantsa suited up for the World Team, representing the roots of his parents, Congo and Jamaica.

This time, it was about honoring his own journey as a U.S.-born player. But while the jersey may have changed, one thing that didn’t was his growing role as a leader. Asked about how his game evolved over the last year, AJ didn’t just talk about scoring. He spoke proudly about embracing versatility, defending, rebounding, passing, the stuff that doesn’t always make highlight reels but wins games.

Especially when you’re surrounded by other stars. “With so many guys on this team, I’m playing a lot of defense. Getting some rebounds. Getting assists. Doing a lot of everything,” he said.

That mindset is no accident. Leadership, it turns out, is something AJ’s been deliberately working on, especially since his transition from Prolific Prep to Utah Prep. And, if you ask the people around him, AJ Dybantsa is carving out his own legacy, not just as a future NBA star, but as a player who uplifts, inspires, and leads.

Because for Dybantsa, greatness isn’t just about making it to the league, it’s about making everyone around you better on the way there.