"Remember like it was yesterday": Hoops trainer recalls how he helped BYU commit AJ Dybantsa take on Duke's Cooper Flagg in a Nike EYBL Game

AJ Dybantsa, the top recruit in the Class of 2025, committed to the BYU Cougars on December 10. Dybantsa chose BYU over other teams, including Kansas, Alabama and North Carolina.

There was significant excitement surrounding Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2024. Flagg committed to Duke on October 30, 2023.

The two No. 1 picks of different classes locked horns against each other in Nike EYBL's 2022 Peach Jam. The famous basketball page "SLAM HIGH SCHOOL," took to Instagram to post some highlights from that game and basketball trainer Brandon Ball talked about what happened in the comments section.

"Remember like it was yesterday‼️ Coop blocked AJs first 3 shots…AJ came straight to me in the first timeout “wtf do I do”😂 “You keep going straight at him! Get to his chest! Be the aggressor! Initiate the contact to get space” AJ proceeded to relaxed and got busy‼️ Coop got the dub, all over the place defensively! Offense wasn’t quite polished yet…the red head lefty killed ❌ big 3 in the corner… Great Game‼️" Ball commented.

Hoops trainer recalls how he helped BYU commit AJ Dybantsa take on Duke's Cooper Flagg in a Nike EYBL Game

Check out the highlights posted on Instagram:

With the signing of AJ Dybantsa, coach Kevin Young secures his third commitment in the 2025 Class. The Brockton native's commitment saw BYU rank at the eighth spot nationally, third in the Big 12 and saw the average NIL value of the squad go to $2.8 million (according to On3).

The Cougars secured the commitment of three-star power forward Chamberlain Burgess on Sep. 30. Burgess is ranked 158th nationwide. Following that, four-star center Xavion Staton committed on November 4th. He is ranked 29th in the nation.

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AJ Dybantsa on BYU coach Kevin Young

The No. 1 prospect attracted plenty of interest from top programs. However, AJ Dybantsa explained why he chose BYU over other colleges while talking with On3, giving Kevin Young the credit.

“Kevin Young was an NBA coach, so he is telling me that he will bring a lot of NBA styles and concepts to the program. He told me that he thought he would be a good coach to help me get to that next level," he said.

“It’s good that he has NBA experience. I mean, I’m trying to get to the NBA, so anyone that has NBA experience or anyone that has brought people to the NBA or coached in the NBA is going to have knowledge for that."

With three commitments in this class, how far will the Cougars go next season?