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AJ Dybantsa is considered the best player in high school, but unlike LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett, he cannot go directly to the NBA as the league has placed age restrictions on draftees. However, that did not stop fans from demanding that he be allowed to enter the NBA directly.
On Wednesday, ESPN's Sports Center Next shared highlights from Dybantsa and Utah Prep's game against Accelerated Prep on Nov. 30. In the comments section, several fans wanted him to go straight to the NBA like James and Bryant.
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Utah Prep won the game 100-63 and Dybanysa's strong performance had fans talking.
"Straight to the league," one fan commented.
"skip college," another fan wrote.
"he’d be #1 pick in this years draft no bs, the kid don’t even need college," a fan said.
While many wanted him to skip college and go directly to the NBA even if league rules don't allow it anymore, others were left in awe of the BYU commit's skills on the court.
"i’d hate to guard bro, 50/50 chance you getting dunked on or put on sportscenter everytime he touch the ball 😭, "one fan said.
"No wasted dribbles . Straight to the Baja 🔥," another fan wrote.
"Him vs Coop and boozer the NBA is in good hands," a fan commented.
In 2005, the NBA and the NBPA negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement that restricted basketball players below 19 years old from entering the NBA. So the five-star small forward would only be eligible to enter the league in the 2026 draft.
AJ Dybantsa and JJ Mandaquit put on show vs. Kahuku in Hawaii
AJ Dybantsa, JJ Mandaquit, and Utah Prep were in Hawaii and took part in the Iolani Classic. They had a dominant performance, defeating Kahuku 107-50 on Wednesday with Hawaii native Mandaquit shining.
Mandaquit had 20 points, while Dybantsa had a game-high 21 points. Ronin Naihe led Kahuki with 20 points and Kashus Daley contributed 12 points. Meanwhile, 5-foot-10 guard Mystique Akina-Watson had a highlight reel play when he knocked down a fadeaway jumper near the baseline over Dybantsa.
