AJ Dybantsa Delivers Highlight-Reel Putback Slam In BYU’s Win Over ACU
Dec 19, 2025, 11:26 PM | Updated: Dec 20, 2025, 12:38 am
PROVO, Utah – BYU star AJ Dybantsa had a slam dunk that Cougar fans are going to remember for a long time.
On Friday night against Abilene Christian at the Marriott Center, BYU led 37-33 with 1:40 remaining in the first half.
Robert Wright III missed a three-point attempt, but AJ Dybantsa took that miss as an opportunity to put together a highlight that is sure to play on loop when he hears his name called in the NBA Draft.
AJ Dybantsa putback slam dunk during BYU’s win over Abilene Christian
Watch for yourself.
Kalani’s reaction to AJ Dybantsa’s dunk. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/hhIft5KYSL
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 20, 2025
There have been some great dunks in BYU basketball history; Mike Hall against Air Force, Yoeli Childs’ impressive slam against Utah at the Delta Center, but that putback from AJ Dybantsa might be at the top.
It could sound like a knee-jerk reaction, but that was impressive.
Even BYU head coach Kevin Young was impressed with his star freshman’s putback slam dunk.
“I’ll be honest, I’m pretty sotic over there when cool stuff happens, just because you’re thinking about the next play. I feel like I’ve seen a lot of plays in my life, but I did react to that one,” Young said. “That was insane. I can’t wait to watch it on film. But what a gifted player, man. That was unbelievable.”
The entire Marriott Center crowd understood the moment and was on its feet after that highlight dunk. Dybantsa’s dunk played on loop as a replay to dazzle the fans.
BYU football head coach Kalani Sitake was in attendance, and he even rose to his feet, impressed by Dybantsa’s jam.
Dybantsa ranks the dunk in the “Top-7” of all slam dunks in his basketball career
Where does Dybantsa rank that highlight dunk in the hierarchy of great dunks in his basketball career?
BYU star AJ Dybantsa said the highlight slam dunk against ACU was the "best putback" of his career.
He puts the putback in the "Top 7" of his best dunks ever.
Richie Saunders on AJ's dunk: "That was amazing." pic.twitter.com/Oh6zwm2680
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 20, 2025
He said it’s the best putback dunk of his career, but among all of the dunks, he noted it’s probably “top-seven.”
BYU defeated Abilene Christian 85-67 on a night where Dybantsa scored a new career-high 35 points on only 12 field goal attempts.
The Cougars are now 11-1 overall and have won eight consecutive 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.
