BYU’s AJ Dybantsa Puts Together Memorable Performance At Madison Square Garden
Dec 9, 2025, 8:08 PM | Updated: Dec 10, 2025, 9:24 am
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 09: AJ Dybantsa #3 of the BYU Cougars in action against the Clemson Tigers in the first half at Madison Square Garden on December 09, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)
(Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)
On the biggest stage in basketball, BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa delivered.
The potential No. 1 NBA Draft pick looked every bit the part of a generational future pro star on Tuesday night inside Madison Square Garden in New York City.
AJ Dybantsa impressed on basketball’s biggest stage, Madison Square Garden
Tenth-ranked BYU trailed Clemson 43-22 at the half.
From there, AJ Dybantsa turned it up.
Career night for BYU star AJ Dybantsa in the win over Clemson at MSG.
28 Points (Career High)
9 Rebounds (Career High)
6 Assists (Career High) pic.twitter.com/UezbKlqWLf— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 10, 2025
Dybantsa outscored and had more assists than Clemson on his own in the second half. The five-star freshman had 22 points in the second half for a career-high 28 points. In the second half, Clemson scored only 21 points as a team.
Dybantsa had five dimes in the second half to Clemson’s three assists as a team.
It was Dybantsa’s night in “The Mecca” as No. 10 BYU defeated Clemson 67-64 to improve to 8-1 overall this season.
Dybantsa posted career highs in points, rebounds, and assists in BYU’s win over Clemson
AJ Dybantsa’s final stat line featured a career-high in points (28), rebounds (9), and assists (6).
One of the great moments of the night was Dybantsa slicing the paint with a slam dunk down the middle of the lane, looking every bit the part of a No. 1 NBA draft pick.
What remains the most impressive aspect of Dybantsa’s game is his willingness to pass and his unselfish approach. However, when he needed to take over, he understood the assignment and dominated Clemson.
Dybantsa now has nine consecutive games to begin his college career with at least 15 points in each of those games. That’s second in Big 12 history behind only Trae Young for most consecutive 15+-point performances to begin a collegiate career.
A special player, on a special stage, finding a way to lead a special BYU team to a win.
Next up for AJ Dybantsa and BYU basketball is a home game against UC Riverside on Saturday, December 13, at 7 p.m. on ESPN+ and KSL NewsRadio.
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.
