$2.6M NIL-valued AJ Dybantsa's Utah Prep journey began with a lucrative NIL deal while the school fell behind on bills: Report

After transferring from Prolific Prep, AJ Dybantsa, who has a $2.6 million NIL value as per On3, has made an immediate impact at Utah Prep this season, helping the team defeat some of the strongest schools in the country. However, Salt Lake Tribune reported on Monday that the school fell behind on its bills because of a lucrative deal with the forward.

Utah Prep, a relatively new school, had high hopes for the No. 1-ranked prospect in the country, believing he could attract other top recruits after his transfer. Ace Dybantsa, AJ's father, revealed that several schools had offered over a million dollars for the 6-foot-9 athlete to play just one season for them. Utah Prep won out with a $600,000 NIL deal and an ownership stake in the school.

However, the school's plan did not work as hoped. The top recruits they hoped would join haven't come, and as a result, Utah Prep had to cut its planned $70,000 tuition in half. The school also fell behind on payments for construction and bills.

Because of these financial problems, Utah Prep had to cut every sport but basketball, according to headmaster Adam Cheney. These budget and construction shortfalls are visible at the school, with buildings unfinished and exposed wiring in the weight room.

Co-founder Brent Woodson was soon removed because of the issues. However, Utah Prep remains a top contender for the national title despite the school's many problems.

Utah Prep co-owner was betting it all on AJ Dybantsa

Ace Dybantsa knew it was a risk choosing a new school, especially since the campus in Hurricane was still unfinished when he toured it. But he believed AJ could make a difference at Utah Prep. As for his son, he said that he let his father handle everything.

The Salt Lake Tribune article mentioned that Woodson was confident that if AJ Dybantsa succeeded, it would help the school grow.

“AJ will keep buying us students,” Woodson said in June. “That is our business plan. … I told Ace, we want to partner with you long-term. Your kid is in college or the NBA, and he calls up a kid for us and says, ‘Hey, come to my dad’s school,’ it is going to drive traffic.”

Woodson wanted Utah Prep to become a school that rivaled IMG Academy in Florida, and by bringing in AJ Dybantsa he wanted to kickstart his vision by creating a strong reputation from the get-go.

---