Watch: BYU signee AJ Dybantsa spotted with Celtics Jaylen Brown before game vs. Orlando Magic

AJ Dybantsa, 2025's top basketball prospect and BYU signee, stole some of the spotlight during the Boston Celtics’ game against the Orlando Magic on Friday. The 17-year-old attended the game at TD Garden with his dad, Ace, and enjoyed a memorable evening.

Before the game, Dybantsa had the chance to meet Celtics star Jaylen Brown during pregame shooting routines. NBC Sports Boston shared a video of their meeting on Instagram, captioning it:

“AJ Dybantsa meeting JB [Jaylen Brown] and JT [Jayson Tatum]. Future looking bright for NBA 🤝”

Brown, a three-time NBA All-Star, offered Dybantsa some words of encouragement. While Dybantsa didn’t reveal everything Brown told him, he shared the key takeaway with Celtics Wire:

"Just keep working," Brown told him. "You'll be here in a year."

Dybantsa is already making waves as the No. 1 nationally ranked player in the 2025 class and is projected to be one of the top picks in the 2026 NBA draft. He plays for Utah Prep Academy and signed with the BYU Cougars, led by Kevin Young, in December.

On Instagram, Dybantsa shared a snap from the game, giving fans a glimpse of his exciting night. The Celtics went on to dominate the Magic, winning 121-94. Jaylen Brown contributed with 20 points, six assists and six rebounds.

AJ Dybantsa via Instagram

AJ Dybantsa shines despite dislocated finger

Even an injury couldn’t slow down AJ Dybantsa, the Utah Prep standout. On Jan. 10, Dybantsa scored 31 points to lead the Athletes to a 78-73 win over the Patrick School in the Iverson Classic, despite playing with a dislocated right pinky finger.

In a postgame video shared on the "shotsbykaii" YouTube channel, Dybantsa opened up about the injury, saying:

"Yo, my finger is dislocated, bro. I popped it back in place. Look at the difference. I popped it back in place twice. Like, that hurts right there. ... Then, my shoulder popped. I’m like, 'Yo, what’s up with Jersey, bro?"(31:54-32:17)

The 6-foot-9 small forward didn’t stop there. A day earlier, he recorded 41 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and one block in Utah Prep’s 97-71 victory over Western Reserve. He was named the "G.O.A.T. Player of the Game" in both performances.

AJ Dybantsa’s incredible showcase caught the attention of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, who shared highlights of the BYU signee’s games on his Instagram story.

According to On3, Dybantsa’s value has skyrocketed to $3.8 million following his commitment to BYU. His performances have also powered Utah Prep to an 8-game winning streak, solidifying his status as a five-star small forward and future basketball star.