AJ Dybantsa, BYU to open 2025-26 season against Big East opponent

By ADAM ZAGORIA

AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2025 and the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, will make his college debut for BYU against Villanova on opening night of the 2025-26 season at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, sources told ZAGSBLOG.

Jon Rothstein first reported the news.

BYU is also working to set up several other high-profile non-conference games. Dybantsa mentioned Duke when he announced on ESPN’s “First Take,” but sources said nothing has been set with the Blue Devils.

The 6-foot-9 Dybantsa is getting a record NIL deal close to $7 million, sources said. He has NIL deals with Nike and Red Bull

Dybantsa has already mentioned some NBA teams he’d like to play for, including the San Antonio Spurs and the Orlando Magic.

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Written by Adam Zagoria

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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.