"Two guys I've been studying my game after": AJ Dybantsa reveals his favorite NBA comparisons

AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2025, has revealed the two NBA players he studies a lot as he tries to improve his game. Dybantsa has been compared to a few legends of the game, including his favorite player, Kevin Durant.

However, in an interview that premiered on BYU Sports Nation's YouTube channel on Jan. 14, the Utah Prep small forward said his two favorite comparisons are Tracy McGrady and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

“I mean, I like the Tracy McGrady and Shai comparison a lot because that’s like the two guys I’ve been studying my game after," Dybantsa said (03:12).

AJ Dybantsa said he is still working on his game before he starts his college career at BYU. The 6-foot-9 small forward said he hopes to get his shot-making ability right by the time he starts playing for the Cougars.

“I’m really working on my shot right now,” Dybantsa said, “so by the time I get to BYU, obviously, I’m going to be playing with the farther linebacker, so I mean hopefully that season, I can shoot 40 plus percent, and it’ll just make me higher chances of draft stock and all that.”

However, despite admitting he needs to work on his shots, Dybantsa insists that some parts of his game are NBA-ready.

“I think I can do a lot of stuff. I think I’m a two-way player,” Dybantsa said. “Not a lot of players take pride in defense, so I think that’s one of the main things that stick out.”

AJ Dybantsa balling out ahead of BYU arrival

He may still need to work on his shots, but Dybantsa has been balling for Utah Prep in recent games. The small forward, who is entering his final months at Utah, scored a game-high 25 points in the team's clash against Cooper Flagg’s alma mater, Montverde Academy, in their Hoophall classic game on Sunday.

This performance came after he dropped 41 points, eight rebounds, four assists and one block in a 99-71 win against Western Reserve on Jan. 11. AJ Dybantsa also dropped 31 points with a dislocated right pinky finger in Utah Prep’s 78-73 victory over Patrick School a day earlier.

His recent performance will be good news for BYU fans, who will have the pleasure of watching the No. 1 prospect regularly from next season.

AJ Dybantsa, who chose the Cougars ahead of schools like Alabama and Kansas State, is set to play at least one season at BYU before potentially declaring for the 2026 NBA draft.