AJ Dybantsa Sweeps Big 12 Weekly Awards
Dec 30, 2025, 4:05 PM | Updated: Dec 31, 2025, 5:32 pm
PROVO, Utah – Freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa has been everything the BYU men’s basketball program could have hoped for and more with the Cougars.
The ‘diaper-dandy’ closed out non-conference play with his best all-around performance in Provo, earning Big 12 Player and Newcomer of the Week honors in the process.
RELATED: Dybantsa Posts First Triple-Double To Close Out Nonconference
December 3⃣0⃣ #Big12MBB Player of the Week 🏅
AJ Dybantsa | @BYUMBB pic.twitter.com/OpCqwzi3rf
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) December 30, 2025
Dybantsa became the first player in BYU history to notch a 30-point triple-double in a 109-81 blowout of Eastern Washington. The 6’9 forward poured in 33 points to go with ten rebounds and ten assists.
He is also the second player in Big 12 history to record a 30/10/10 triple-double, and the first to do it with points, assists, and rebounds.
RELATED STORIES
AJ Dybantsa, BYU, is preparing to take the Big 12 by storm
Tenth-ranked BYU begins Big 12 play on Saturday, January 3, when it visits the Kansas State Wildcats in Manhattan, Kansas.
The Cougars will be playing their first true road game of the season as they carry a seven-game winning streak into Bramlage Coliseum.
BIG 12 NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK pic.twitter.com/jghg8dv7VR
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) December 30, 2025
Dybantsa’s 23.1 points lead a three-headed monster of an offense, and is second behind Duke’s Cameron Boozer (23.3) for the points per game lead nationally.
He is flourishing in head coach Kevin Young’s system, adding 7.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals. His 58.8 percent from the field is fourth in the conference.
AJ Dybantsa Mid Season, 13 games in so far..
23.1 PPG (59%FG, 33% 3PT, 77% FTs)
7 RPG
4 APG
1.4 SPGHow we feeling, is he the best Freshman we’ve seen in the last 10 years??? pic.twitter.com/JGdijF8qLL
— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) December 28, 2025
Senior Richie Saunders is a steadying hand on both ends of the floor. The Wasatch Academy graduate averages 18.6 points, 4.8 boards, and 2.3 steals.
Former Baylor Bears guard Rob Wright III rounds out the triumvirate with 16.2 points, 5.5 assists, and 1.7 steals.
Follow BYU basketball coverage with KSL Sports
Find BYU’s entire 2025-26 men’s basketball schedule here.
Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect; follow us at @kslsports.
Follow the BYU Cougars with KSL Sports here.
Take us with you wherever you go.
Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
