“(AJ Dybantsa) Is Getting $7 Million”: No Respite for BYU’s Latest Commit in Dan Patrick’s Scathing Rant

AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 high school basketball recruit in the class of 2025, had the basketball world buzzing when he chose BYU over powerhouses like North Carolina, Alabama, and Kansas. The 17-year-old Utah Prep Academy star cited BYU’s NBA-experienced coaching staff as the driving factor behind his decision. Yet, skepticism lingers. Critics, including renowned sports commentator Dan Patrick, have raised eyebrows, questioning whether Dybantsa’s choice was motivated by basketball development—or a lucrative NIL deal reportedly worth millions.

On a recent episode of The Dan Patrick Show, the host dissected the potential factors influencing Dybantsa’s decision. “I didn’t see anything. I saw the article, but I didn’t see anything that said he has ties to the university—a former coach goes there, former player, teammate. But I think he’s getting $7 million,” Patrick remarked.

Patrick’s statement followed co-host Seton O’Connor’s own musings about the choice. O’Connor expressed a mix of intrigue and skepticism, questioning whether money alone was enough to sway the highly-touted recruit.

“There’s got to be more of a reason than just money that he went there. Surely all of these other schools that were going after him were also offering him substantial amounts of money,” O’Connor speculated on the Dan Patrick Show.

For Dybantsa, however, the narrative revolves around his NBA aspirations. He pointed to BYU head coach Kevin Young’s professional pedigree as the key factor in his decision. “Coach Young’s NBA background played a big factor in my decision,” Dybantsa told ESPN. “He coached my favorite player in KD [Kevin Durant] and Devin Booker. Both had a lot of good things to say about him. We watched clips of both.”

The entire debate started when a basketball insider Adam Zagoria mentioned on Sam Lance of The Daily’s tweet two days ago, “I’m told AJ Dybantsa’s NIL number was close to $7 million.”

Still, not everyone is convinced. Fans and insiders alike have speculated that NIL money played a significant role.

Money or mentorship? Dybantsa’s BYU decision sparks a heated debate on college basketball priorities

Dybantsa’s NIL value had already made headlines prior to his commitment. Valued at $2.8 million by On3, his roster boost and brand appeal only cemented his financial prospects. Just last month, he inked a $4 million deal with Nike—an eye-popping figure for a player who hasn’t yet suited up for college basketball.

Despite the financial chatter, Dybantsa insists his decision was about the long term. “My ultimate goal is to get to the NBA,” he said. “At BYU, the whole staff from the head coach on down came from the NBA. You cannot get any closer to where I want to be.”

Dan Patrick, however, remains skeptical, asserting, “I don’t know if it matters where he plays as far as getting to the NBA. If he’s that good, you’re the number one recruit, you’re probably getting to the NBA.”

The debate underscores a larger conversation about the role of money in college sports. Fans are left questioning whether Dybantsa’s choice reflects a shift in priorities among top recruits. Seton O’Connor echoed this sentiment, saying, “There has to be more than, well, whoever’s going to offer me the most money right now, that’s where I’m going to go, right?”

As Dybantsa prepares for his collegiate debut, the spotlight will only intensify. Whether his choice pays off on the court or in his bank account, one thing is certain—AJ Dybantsa’s journey to the NBA is already making waves.