For many basketball players, securing a signature shoe deal isn’t just a milestone – it’s a dream and a lasting symbol of legacy. Think of Michael Jordan’s Air Jordans, which redefined the sportswear industry, or LeBron James’ iconic Nike line, which has become as recognizable as the King himself. Even WNBA’s Sabrina Ionescu has reached heights with her collection already becoming one of the best Unisex shoes from Nike. But for some, even with talent and brand support, realizing that vision can be a challenge, and young basketball phenom AJ Dybantsa is one such example.

During Dybantsa’s appearance on the new episode of ‘Podcast P with Paul George’, PG brought up the topic of what it was like to sign a NIL deal with Nike. The 17-year-old spared no time in answering that.

“I mean it was big. They brought it to my attention, me and my dad and I was like, ‘Yo it’s Nike.’ Like opportunity like this, you’re signed, like my favorite players are signed to Nike and I was like I got to sign the Nike,” said Dybantsa. Moments after this, George gave an anecdote upon hearing Dybantsa’s story of having colorways.

“I mean, when I was coming up, I definitely used to draw like Nike sneakers, bro. I used to draw like sketches of what I wanted my shoe to look like,” said George. However, the moment the small forward finished, the 17-year-old phenom revealed a surprisingly relatable barrier. “I can’t draw, that’s the thing,” said Dybantsa.

Dybantsa just recently signed a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with Nike and is on the verge of unlocking major opportunities. At just 17, he is considered one of the brightest prospects in high school basketball. He is also currently projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

“Joining the Nike basketball family is huge. When I was asked, it was a no-brainer… Growing up, watching people that inspired me wear Nike — to now being part of the same team is an opportunity I don’t take for granted. I can’t wait to see what we can mix up on and off the court,” said Dybantsa.

The timing of this admission is particularly interesting, as the basketball footwear industry is more prolific than ever before. The freshly-minted WNBA champion Sabrina Ionescu hit the headlines just a year ago when she signed a historic $24 million Nike shoe deal and became one of women’s basketball’s biggest faces.

The deal also made history for women’s athletic endorsements, as it included her own signature shoe line ‘the Sabrina shoes.’ In fact, her unisex Sabrina 1s broke records with athletes and celebrities all fashioning them. Moreover, seems like the young talent is getting inspired by the success of the New York Liberty star.

There have been instances when the No. 1 prospect was seen wearing the WNBA champ’s signature shoes. The 17-year-old was recently spotted wearing the Sabrina 2s exclusive version released on Slam’s 30th anniversary. The sneakers were light blue and had a pink swoosh with Dybantsa also wearing Nike socks. And a snap of the same was tweeted by the popular journalist Nick DePaula on Monday.

As the basketball world watches Dybantsa’s development both on and off the court, his honest acknowledgment of this creative limitation might actually work in his favor, showing a level of self-awareness and authenticity rarely seen in young athletes. However, this wasn’t the only insight given by the 17-year-old during the podcast.

AJ Dybantsa reveals what he is most excited about

The audacity of dreams fuels greatness, and AJ Dybantsa’s recent podcast appearance revealed the extraordinary vision this young prodigy carries for his basketball future. Rather than focusing solely on his current performance the 17-year-old phenom’s mind is already decades ahead, visualizing his basketball legacy.

During the podcast when Dybantsa was asked about what thing he is excited about the most in the NBA, the young wasted no time in indulging. “Most excited about? I’m thinking big. Hall of Fame. Hall of Fames is my only goal like, once you’re a Hall of Famer, you’re certified like, you’re certified. So that’s my ultimate goal. I mean I’m looking forward for it all. I’m looking forward to my first game, my last game, first All-Star, first championship, first everything but, Hall of Famer is that goal,” said Dybantsa during the podcast.

Currently averaging an impressive 21.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, Dybantsa’s confidence isn’t unfounded. Now the most important decision of Dybantsa’s life still looms – his college decision. As per 247Sports, he’s received 29 offers and made visits to seven schools: BYU, Alabama, North Carolina, Kansas, Kansas State, Auburn, and USC. In the end, it can be said that his college decision will pave the path for his NBA greatness.