BYU BASKETBALL

BYU Star AJ Dybantsa Posts Elite Vertical Jump Number

Jul 30, 2025, 6:09 PM

AJ Dybantsa #7 of Team USA BYU Basketball...

PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 12: AJ Dybantsa #7 of Team USA dunks as Dame Sarr #2 of Team World looks on during the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit at Moda Center on April 12, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

(Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

PROVO, Utah – Incoming BYU men’s basketball freshman and projected NBA Lottery pick AJ Dybantsa isn’t just athletic for the college ranks.

According to BYU Strength and Conditioning Coach Michael Davie, Dybantsa’s NBA Combine style approach jump would be one of the most elite in NBA history.

“We’re looking at their maximal vertical power ability,” Davie said, explaining the test. “We’ve tried to, percentile-wise, see where our players would rank if they were to go to the NBA Draft.”

RELATED: BYU Signee AJ Dybantsa Named McDonald’s All-American

“AJ jumped 40.5 inches,” Davie continued. ” He’s in a wing position, 37.5 inches to 41 inches in the top-five percent, all-time NBA. It’s pretty impressive for an 18-year-old young man. Looking really exciting to see what he can do for BYU this year.”

AJ Dybantsa compared to NBA Combine history

NBA lore is filled with graceful leapers, hulking hammer dunkers, and everything in between. From Michael Jordan’s rumored 48-inch vertical leap to the chorus of crams authored by Dominique Wilkins, Shawn Kemp, Vince Carter, and Donovan Mitchell, high-fliers have always captured the imagination of fans.

2021 first-round pick Keon Johnson holds the NBA Combine record of 48 inches, breaking the previous record held by Kenny Gregory in 2001. Johnson is currently on his third team in four seasons and has never averaged more than 26 minutes or 10.6 points in a season.

RELATED: Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer Headline 2026 NBA Draft Candidates

According to hoopshype.com, Dybantsa’s 41.5 inches would fall just outside the top-35 in combine history.

With a season of weight-training and general physical conditioning improvements that come with playing NCAA D1 basketball for the first time, the much-hyped prospect could leave his mark on the combine a year from now.

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BYU Star AJ Dybantsa Posts Elite Vertical Jump Number