AJ Dybantsa Had Memorable Prep Battle Against Future Big 12 Foe

Future BYU basketball player AJ Dybantsa put on a show Saturday in The Grind Session in Atlanta.

Dybantsa, the nation’s No. 1 recruit, led Utah Prep into a battle against California’s Prolific Prep, Dybantsa’s previous high school squad.

With Dybantsa at Utah Prep, Prolific Prep is now led by Dybantsa’s future Big 12 foe, Darryn Peterson, who is signed to play at Kansas. Peterson is the nation’s No. 3 recruit in the 247Sports Composite for the class of 2025.

BYU signee AJ Dybantsa vs. Kansas signee Darryn Peterson

The two five-star recruits shined bright on Saturday as both players scored 107 points in The Grind Session clash.

Dybantsa finished with 49 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and one steal, but it wasn’t enough as Prolific Prep got the 88-86 victory over Utah Prep.

Despite the loss against Prolifc Prep, AJ Dybantsa pulled out 49 points, 9 Rounds and 3 Assists pic.twitter.com/FNlhr3W2LG

— The Grind Session (@thegrindsession) February 9, 2025

Darryn Peterson scored 58 points to go along with seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Peterson knocked down the game-winning three to give Prolific Prep the two-point victory.

While Dybantsa and Peterson’s college teams suffered tough road losses on Saturday, those teams’ fan bases can be excited about better days ahead with these two five-stars leading those respective teams next year.

Who wouldn’t want to see this type of back-and-forth battle twice next year in the Big 12 play?

FINAL
Prolific Prep (CA) 88
Utah Prep (UT) 86
Player of the Game: Darryn Peterson 58p 7r 5a 3s

Mazi Mosley 14p 3r 
AJ Dybantsa 49p 9r 3a 1s
Anthony Felesi 13p 11r 3a 3s pic.twitter.com/D2A6ZISu7x

— The Grind Session (@thegrindsession) February 9, 2025

We’re not opposed to that bucket-getting next season in the Big 12.

Dybantsa is putting up big numbers

Dybantsa has been putting up huge numbers on a nightly basis. On Friday, Dybantsa scored 44 points and grabbed 13 rebounds on day one of the Atlanta Grind Session against Dream City and five-star combo guard Ikenna Alozie.

AJ Dybantsa and Utah Prep will play on Sunday, the final day of The Grind Session, against Iowa United at 12:15 p.m. (MST)/2:15 p.m. (EST).

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.

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