AJ Dybantsa Sets BYU’s Single-Season Freshman Scoring Record
Feb 18, 2026, 9:54 PM
TUCSON, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 18: AJ Dybantsa #3 of the BYU Cougars backs into the paint during the first half against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center at ALKEME Arena on February 18, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Patrick Mulligan/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick Mulligan/Getty Images)
AJ Dybantsa continues to rewrite the freshman record book for BYU basketball.
In a game at No. 4 Arizona, Dybantsa added to his list of records in his record-setting season with the Cougars.
AJ Dybantsa sets the BYU single-season freshman scoring record, passing Danny Ainge. pic.twitter.com/LyqudRcqng
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) February 19, 2026
AJ Dybantsa passes Danny Ainge for BYU’s single-season freshman scoring record
Dybantsa became BYU’s single-season scoring leader for a freshman season. He passed Danny Ainge, who set the record in 1978 with 632 points.
The Brockton, Massachusetts native set the record on a beautiful euro step move with 10:51 to go at the McKale Center in Tucson.
That bucket gave Dybantsa 25 points in the game, and 624 points for the season.
Dybantsa finished with 35 points in the 75-68 loss at No. 4 Arizona in Tucson.
The star freshman is now up to 644 points in the 2025-26 season. Entering the game, he was the nation’s leading scorer at 24.4 points per game. After scoring 35, he will remain the nation’s leading scorer.
No. 14 in the highest scoring BYU basketball season, regardless of class
Dybantsa’s 644 points this season bring him to the 14th most points in a single season in BYU basketball history, regardless of class.
He passed the likes of Michael Smith (1986-87), Timo Saarelainen (1984-85), Russell Larson (1993-94), Brandon Davies (2012-13), Elijah Bryant (2017-18), and Yoeli Childs (2017-18) to crack into the top-20.
Earlier this season, Dybantsa passed Ainge for the freshman single-game scoring record by dropping 43 points against Utah on January 24.
BYU still has five games remaining in the regular season, along with postseason play at the Big 12 Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.
Dybantsa and No. 23 BYU return to action on Saturday night against No. 6 Iowa State at the Marriott Center.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
