AJ Dyantsa, who currently attends Utah Prep, was born on January 29, 2007, to his parents, Ace and Chelsea Dybantsa, with whom he shares a close bond.
Attending Saint Sebastian’s School, it didn’t take long for Dybantsa to make his mark in basketball.
In his freshman year, he earned the title Massachusetts Boys’ Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year.
His standout performances helped propel Saint Sebastian‘s to the NEPSAC Class A state championship game. However, they narrowly lost to Milton Academy with a score of 77-76.
Seeking new challenges, Dybantsa moved to Prolific Prep in California, where he continued to dominate by leading the scoring at the Nike Peach Jam with 25.8 points per game.
Looking ahead, he is set to wrap up his high school career at Utah Prep in Hurricane, Utah, for the 2024-25 season while studying at Mount Vernon Academy.
Recently, on December 10, 2024, AJ Dybantsa, leading the ESPN 100 as the top recruit for the Class of 2025, confirmed his decision to join Brigham Young University (BYU).
Additionally, he shone on the international stage, winning a gold medal with the United States team at the FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Mérida, Mexico.
In the final game, he scored 12 points and maintained an average of 13.8 points throughout the tournament.
AJ Dybantsa’s Father, Ace Dybantsa Sr., Is a Campus Police Officer!
AJ Dybantsa was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, to his parents, Ace and Chelsea Dybantsa.
Ace Dybantsa Sr., originally from the Congo and raised in Paris, is a campus police officer at Boston University.
Not to forget, he is a former soccer goalie at Massasoit Community College.
His wife, Chelsea, hailing from Jamaica, met Ace when he moved to the United States at age 21.
This diverse heritage gives AJ his unique Congolese and Jamaican roots.
AJ’s father humorously describes him as having a “Jafrican” blend of traits, emphasizing the fusion of their cultures.
Right after his only son was born, his father declared a significant path for his future, saying My boy will play basketball.
AJ grew up in a strict household where he and his siblings followed rigorous routines.
He has two sisters, and although not much is detailed about them, it’s evident that family dynamics play a significant role in his life and development as a top athlete.
These routines included doing push-ups twice daily, monitored by a camera system their father installed to ensure no shortcuts were taken.
This discipline has shaped AJ into a relentless athlete committed to excellence.
From an early age, AJ was singularly focused on basketball. About his hobbies, he said:
I really don’t have [other] hobbies. I don’t play video games. If I’m not playing basketball, I’m watching basketball. If I watch a [Netflix] show, I’m sleeping through it. I can’t watch anything else.
Via NBA
AJ Dybantsa’s Parents Played a Crucial Role in His Decision to Join Brigham Young University (BYU)!
His parents, Ace and Chelsea, visited the university for a carefully staged tour, including visiting the impressive BYUtv studios.
The tour highlighted the unique opportunities at BYU, especially regarding media training and personal branding.
They meticulously engaged themselves to ensure they understood how the university could support their son’s dual development as an athlete and a media personality.
The proactive engagement of the parents of AJ during the tour, with their elaborated questions, underlined how much they were included in AJ’s future.
During an ESPN interview, AJ’s father recently shared a different perspective on his son’s playing style. While AJ Dybantsa said:
I play like a mix of Tracy McGrady and Shai.
Via YouTube
His father disagreed, stating:
I’m really proud of him. He’s, like he said, the combination of Tracy McGrady and Shai, but he plays more like, to me, LeBron. Because he does everything. He can playmake, he can score, play defense, rebound. Although his rebounding needs some work.
Via YouTube
This difference in views was discussed openly, showcasing AJ’s family’s supportive and engaged nature in his basketball journey.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Recognized as the No. 1 male recruit of the Class of 2025, he has signed with Nike and plans to engage in charitable projects in Jamaica through the partnership.
- He is 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters) tall and weighs 200 pounds (91 kilograms).
