Eye On College Basketball: BYU Freshman AJ Dybantsa isn't focused on STATS, only WINS

Podcast: Eye On College Basketball
Air Date: October 22, 2025
Host: CBS Sports
Guest: AJ Dybantsa (BYU Freshman, Top NBA Prospect)

Episode Overview

This episode features a candid interview with BYU freshman basketball phenom AJ Dybantsa as he gears up for his first college season. The conversation explores Dybantsa’s mindset heading into a highly anticipated year, how he balances team goals with personal ambitions, and his experiences acclimating to college and life in Utah. The focus stays on Dybantsa’s mature, team-first attitude and the high expectations surrounding both the player and BYU’s program.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Meaning Behind the Name "AJ"

• [02:22-02:59]
  AJ shares that “AJ” stands for Anise Junior, named after his father, and recently learned “Anise” means 'undefeated’.

  “I just looked it up like a couple months ago and told my dad.” – AJ Dybantsa (02:51)
  “It's just cool that that's what my name is.” – AJ Dybantsa (02:59)

2. Mindset Before the Season

• [03:07-03:50]
  With less than two weeks until the season opener, AJ talks about the excitement and treating preseason exhibitions as valuable experiences, especially notable matchups like against UNC and Villanova.

  “These games still matter, especially the one against UNC coming up... Obviously, doesn’t count towards our record, but I think it still counts.” – AJ Dybantsa (03:33)
  “Looking forward to that. Just playing.” – AJ Dybantsa (03:47)

3. Daily Life as a College Athlete

• [03:50-04:21]
  AJ describes his schedule as closely matching his expectations: work out, classes or study hall, then practice.

  “That’s kind of what I envisioned as a college athlete when I started, like, having dreams of going… to school for free.” – AJ Dybantsa (04:15)

4. Balancing Focus with Enjoying College

• [04:21-05:07]
  While prepping for a professional future, AJ emphasizes living in the moment and participating fully in student life.

  “I go to the football games. I'm in a student section... taking in person classes. So I’m just trying to get the full experience because who knows how long I’m gonna be here for.” – AJ Dybantsa (04:50)
  “Literally just going in the middle of the student section, I just be cheering with them. I'd be doing the chants with them. Everything.” – AJ Dybantsa (05:07)

5. Adjusting to Life in Utah

• [05:11-05:22]
  AJ compares laid-back Massachusetts to Utah’s “out the way, more my speed” vibe.

6. College Basketball vs. NBA

• [05:33-06:25]
  He shares his love for both college and NBA basketball, noticing the heightened intensity in NCAA play.

  “I want to say it’s more competitive... Looks like they're playing harder because they're playing for something.” – AJ Dybantsa (06:02)

7. Balancing Present Focus With Future Dreams

• [06:25-07:04]
  While fully committed to BYU, AJ admits he sometimes envisions his NBA future, still seeing himself as someone “dreaming because I haven’t accomplished a dream yet.”

8. BYU Team Dynamics & Playing Style

• [07:05-08:07]
  The team prioritizes winning but also wants to excite fans with up-tempo, high-flying basketball.

  “We try to play to win, but we try to give the fans what they want. So we’re trying to be exciting, play up and down, dunks, threes... but we want to play to win.” – AJ Dybantsa (07:17)

9. Teammate Spotlights

• [07:44-08:52]
  • Richie: “He’s actually probably one of the hardest workers I’ve ever played with... He’s leading by example.” – AJ Dybantsa (07:46)
  • Keita: Learning to throw lobs to a teammate who can finish at new heights.
  • Rob Wright: Praised as “the best parker I’ve ever played with... His pain decisions are like A one.” – AJ Dybantsa (08:43)

10. Learning From Last Season & Tournament Hopes

• [08:52-09:37]
  AJ reflects on attending BYU’s NCAA Tournament run, hoping to replicate and surpass it with current ambitions:

  “It hurts that [Alabama] had the best shooting performance ever. But, I mean, that’s what the tournament is. People step up.” – AJ Dybantsa (09:34)

11. BYU’s Identity: Offense with Improved Defense

• [10:09-10:26]
  BYU wants to maintain its offensive firepower but focus on not giving up as many points:

  “We’re trying to score 90, but we’re trying to give up less than 70.” – AJ Dybantsa (10:22)

12. Individual Stats vs. Team Wins

• [10:26-11:52]
  AJ downplays the importance of chasing stats if it doesn’t help the team win.

  “I hold myself to that type of standard to win... It’s kind of hard for me to say I really had a good game when we lose.” – AJ Dybantsa (10:49)
  “If I end up in the flow of a game, have my individual stats and have a great game, that's good. But… we’re trying to win at the end of the year, so I can’t be hunting my own individual.” – AJ Dybantsa (11:52)

13. Rebounding Emphasis

• [12:18-12:55]
  Rebounding is AJ’s personal and team focus for this season — with a shift in mentality.

  “This year, me, my dad, and coach have been on me about rebounding a lot. So I’ve been trying to average way more rebounds and crash way more.” – AJ Dybantsa (12:29)

  • On the keys to rebounding:

    “Positioning and timing. You gotta get in position to get the rebound... and jump on time.” – AJ Dybantsa (12:55)

14. Handling the Pressure & Away Games

• [13:01-13:44]
  AJ discusses in-game focus, crowd noise, and the excitement of experiencing different college basketball atmospheres.

  “When we played Nebraska, I heard everything... I’m curious to see if I can find ways to, like, block it out.” – AJ Dybantsa (13:13)
  “You must be so excited just to experience these... That’s just gotta be something that you’re raring to do.” – Interviewer (13:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I go to the football games… just trying to get the full experience because who knows how long I’m gonna be here for.” – AJ Dybantsa (04:50)
• “Looks like they're playing harder because they're playing for something.” – AJ Dybantsa on college over NBA regular season (06:02)
• “I hold myself to that type of standard to win... It’s kind of hard for me to say I really had a good game when we lose.” – AJ Dybantsa (10:49)
• “If I end up in the flow of a game, have my individual stats and having a great game, that’s good. But... we’re trying to win at the end of the year.” – AJ Dybantsa (11:52)
• “Positioning and timing… You gotta get in position to get the rebound. And then once it hits the rim, you have to be able to jump on time to go grab it.” – AJ Dybantsa (12:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:22] – AJ explains his name and its meaning
• [03:33] – Excitement for the upcoming season and big early games
• [04:50] – Enjoying the full college experience
• [06:02] – College hoops: competitive spirit over NBA-style play
• [07:17] – BYU’s playing style and energy in practice
• [07:46-08:43] – Teammate shout-outs and on-court chemistry
• [09:17] – Watching BYU in the NCAA Tournament, future aspirations
• [10:09] – BYU’s plan: higher offensive output, better defense
• [11:52] – Team-first mentality regarding stats and personal pride
• [12:29] – Focusing on rebounding as a personal growth area
• [13:13] – Handling away games and experiencing college basketball environments

Summary

This in-depth interview highlights AJ Dybantsa's grounded personality, strong work ethic, and mature approach to success—focusing on team wins and personal growth over headline-chasing stats. He showcases a desire to immerse himself in the full college experience at BYU, while also keeping his long-term NBA ambitions in perspective. The episode provides a vivid look at one of college basketball’s most exciting new players, both as a future pro and as a student savoring the moment.