By CHARLIE PARENT
INDIANAPOLIS — AJ Dybantsa, the nation’s No. 1 junior, recapped his recent recruitment after dropping 21 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists during the Oakland Soldiers’ 101-66 win over the Family on Friday at the EYBL third live period.
The 6-foot-9 Prolific Prep (CA.) product earned an offer from Duke just one week ago and will likely take a visit in the fall, among several others.
“I’m open to every school, but I will probably take a visit [to Duke] in the fall,” he said. “I’ll probably narrow it down after Peach Jam and take my visits then.”
He also mentioned that new Kentucky head coach Mark Pope reached out to Dybantsa and his father two days ago, while John Calipari and the new Arkansas staff reoffered him recently. New USC head coach Eric Musselman has talked to Dybantsa as well.
Dybantsa will look to take 4-to-6 visits between September-October, including Kentucky, Oregon, Arkansas and USC.
He broke down some of his options postgame:
Duke: “It’s a dream to have every single blue blood. That was the last one I didn’t have so it felt good to get it. He’s [Jon Scheyer] good. He says that I play the system well.”
Kentucky: “Mark Pope was here. Two days ago, he called my dad, and I hopped on the phone with him. He said he’s going to keep the same Kentucky, be a top-25 team and that he thinks I’m a good fit.”
USC: “I actually went on a USC visit but it was with the old staff. I don’t know if I’ll revisit, but I did like the school, I did like what they had to offer, but I’d have to see what Musselman has to offer.”
Dybantsa also provided a glance into his recruiting process, saying his father handles all recruiting now, and he’ll be more involved with coaches when he narrows his list.
“When I first reclassed up, it was too distracting,” he said. “All I focus on are books and ball, he just handles the rest. When I narrow it down, I have the coach’s numbers so, I can build a relationship and see where I want to go.”
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