All About AJ
Some game notes/thoughts on AJ Dybantsa's perfomance in BYU's loss to West Virginia.
BYU lost a tough one on the road versus West Virginia. In that game, projected number two pick, AJ Dybantsa finished with 20 points (going 7 of 15 from the floor, and 2 of 7 3pt) adding seven rebounds. His combination of size, skill and athleticism was great to witness in person. He possesses fludity in every motion, he loves going to the right coming off screens and getting straight to basket or pulling up for a jumper.
Early in the first half, Dybantsa’s offensive rhythm was inconsistent as he attempted to find his footing within the flow of the offense. A forced pass at the 18:26 mark resulted in a turnover, illustrating moments where his aggressiveness as a playmaker can lead to mistakes. Shortly after, he attacked the rim but missed a layup at 17:47, and another attempt at the basket later in the half also failed to fall.
Despite the early struggles scoring, Dybantsa stayed active in other areas. He secured multiple defensive rebounds throughout the opening half, including boards at the 12:35 and 10:47 marks, using his length and instincts to clean the glass and end possessions. Offensively, he began to settle in when he connected on an 11-foot pull-up jumper around the 10-minute mark, a shot that showcased his comfort operating in the midrange.
Dybantsa also flashed some playmaking ability during the half. He delivered a kick-out assist that led to a made three-pointer by Robert Wright III, demonstrating his willingness to move the ball when help defenders collapsed. However, turnovers continued to appear intermittently, including additional bad-pass giveaways later in the half. At the free throw line, he split a pair and attempted a deep three late in the period that missed.
The second half showed a noticeable shift in Dybantsa’s offensive aggressiveness and overall impact. He opened the half with a strong driving layup, attacking the defense downhill and finishing through traffic. From there, he began to find his scoring rhythm in multiple areas of the floor.
A key moment came when Dybantsa knocked down a deep 29-foot three-pointer, displaying the range and confidence that make him a difficult cover on the perimeter. Shortly after, he continued to apply pressure inside the arc, converting a 9-foot floater and later finishing another driving layup. The sequence highlighted his versatility as a scorer, capable of mixing perimeter shooting with interior finishing.
Midway through the half, Dybantsa continued to produce offensively, knocking down another midrange jumper before converting both free throws on a subsequent trip to the line. In addition to the scoring, he remained active on the defensive glass, collecting several rebounds throughout the half and helping initiate transition opportunities.
There were still some rough edges in his performance. Dybantsa picked up a pair of fouls and committed another turnover during the second half, and his perimeter efficiency remained streaky as several late three-point attempts missed their mark.
However, he delivered a key shot late in the game when he connected on a 26-foot three-pointer off an assist from Wright, briefly helping keep the game within reach. While the closing minutes saw additional missed attempts from deep, the overall stretch illustrated his willingness to take big shots and operate as a primary scoring option.
Overall, Dybantsa’s performance showcased the blend of shot creation, rebounding activity, and perimeter scoring ability that makes him such a compelling long-term prospect. Even with bouts of inconsistency in decision-making and shot selection, his combination of size, skill, and scoring versatility consistently flashed throughout the game.