By SAM LANCE
A.J. Dybantsa got the better of Cam Boozer in the anticipated clash of the top-two prospects in the 2025 class. Utah Prep, behind Dybantsa’s 28 points and five 3-pointers, secured a 69-68 win over Columbus at the Border League on Sunday.
The game came to a wild conclusion, with two turnovers on the last two possessions. First Dybantsa coughed it up, then Cam, who ran out of time on the shot clock to give Utah Prep the ball with two seconds left up one.
Cam finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds and Cayden Boozer, another 2025 five-star prospect, chipped in 17 points and nine assists. Jaden Vance added 12 points for Utah Prep.
At one point in the second half Utah Prep led by 16 points. That lead trimmed down to two points with 1:20 left in the game, but Dybantsa sunk a floater in traffic to give Utah Prep a 69-65 lead. The proved to be the winning basket.
“Individually, I just had to take that challenge guarding Cam,” Dybantsa said of his performance postgame on ESPN. “I mean, it’s a hard challenge. He was leaning on me the whole game, big body bro. So I just had to go play defense. And as a team, we came together, we were spaced. And all the practice we put in, the work, showed.”
This is sweet revenge for Dybantsa against the Boozer twins. Columbus and Utah Prep met in September, and Columbus came out on top 95-72. Cam had 42 points and 15 rebounds while Cayden had 30 points and nine assists. Dybantsa scored a game-high 43 points in that loss. Dybantsa was bested in the Peach Jam title game this summer as well, where Nightrydas Elite won 71-62 behind 27 combined points from the Cam and Cayden. Both the Boozer twins are Duke commits. You can read on their decision, plus where Dybantsa’s recruitment stands here. Follow Sam Lance on Twitter Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on FacebookESPN’s No. 1 overall prospect @ADybantsa posted 28 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists to lift @UtahPrepMBB past The Explorers 69-68 at the @brdrleague on Sunday night. Jaden Vance added 12 points in the win.
— League Ready (@LeagueRDY) October 21, 2024
✅(Explorers) Cam Boozer 20 points, 10 rebounds
✅(Explorers) Cayden… pic.twitter.com/GNKQudp4L4
