BYU’s AJ Dybantsa Reaches Rare Scoring Club For NCAA Freshmen

PROVO, Utah – BYU star AJ Dybantsa continues to put together one of the greatest freshman seasons in college basketball history.

Dybantsa has passed the 700-point total for the season.

He became only the 20th freshman in NCAA men’s basketball in the 21st century to reach the 700-point threshold.

 

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Dybantsa joins NBA superstars Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Cooper Flagg in reaching the accomplishment as an NCAA freshman.

The Brockton, Massachusetts native is up to 722 points on the season, with two regular-season games remaining. Followed by a minimum of two postseason opportunities in the Big 12 Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.

The highest-scoring season by an NCAA freshman since 2000 was by Dybantsa’s favorite player, Kevin Durant, where he scored 903 points in 35 games during his one year at Texas.

If BYU piles up some wins in the postseason, Dybantsa could climb the ladder for highest-scoring seasons by a freshman.

Dybantsa is the first non-Duke player from a Power Five conference to reach the 700-point threshold in a freshman season since Trae Young did it in 2018 at Oklahoma.

Former Duke star Cooper Flagg finished with 709 points in 37 games last year for the Blue Devils.

Fellow freshmen Cameron Boozer of Duke and Darius Acuff from Arkansas are knocking on the door of joining Dybantsa in the 700-point freshman club. Boozer has 653 points this season, while Acuff has 638 points.

700-point scoring club: NCAA Men’s Basketball Freshmen

Since the 2000-2001 season

1. Kevin Durant, Texas (2006-2007): 903 points, 35 games

2. Trae Young, Oklahoma (2017-2018): 876 points, 32 games

3. Michael Beasley, Kansas State (2007-2008): 866 points, 33 games

4. R.J. Barrett, Duke (2018-2019): 860 points, 38 games

5. Jason Conley, VMI (2001-2002): 820 points, 28 games

6. Lamine Davis, CSUN (2018-2019): 818 points, 33 games

7. Antoine Davis, Detroit Mercy (2018-2019): 784 points, 30 games

8. R.J. Cole, Howard (2017-2018): 782 points, 33 games

9. Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse (2002-2003): 778 points, 35 games

10. Dajuan Wagner, Memphis (2001-2002): 762 points, 36 games

11. Malik Monk, Kentucky (2016-2017): 754 points, 35 games

12. Zion Williamson, Duke (2018-2019): 746 points, 33 games

13. Stephen Curry, Davidson (2006-2007): 726 points, 34 games

14. Rondey Stuckey, Eastern Washington (2005-2006): 726 points, 30 games

T-15. AJ Dybantsa, BYU (2025-2026): 722 points, 29 games

T-15. Keydren Clark, Saint Peter’s (2002-2003): 722 points, 29 games

17. Jamal Murray, Kentucky (2015-2016): 720 points, 36 games

18. Cooper Flagg, Duke (2024-2025): 709 points, 37 games

19. Seth Curry, Liberty (2008-2009): 707 points, 35 games

20. DeAndre Ayton, Arizona (2017-2018): 704 points, 35 games

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.

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