AJ Dybantsa Will Be Coached At Utah Prep By Former NBA Coach
Jan 13, 2025, 10:51 PM | Updated: 11:00 pm
Keith Smart will be the new head coach at Utah Prep Academy, coaching BYU signees AJ Dybantsa and Xavion Staton. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY— Utah Prep has a new head coach who has NBA coaching in his background.
The high school in Hurricane, Utah, announced that Keith Smart would be their head coach moving forward, which means he will be coaching up BYU signees AJ Dybantsa and Xavion Staton.
Keith Smart will coach AJ Dybantsa at Utah Prep
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Smart is a former head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, and Sacramento Kings. Most recently, Smart was an assistant coach at Arkansas under former Razorback head coach Eric Musselman.
“I’m honored to join Utah Prep Academy,” said Keith Smart in a written statement. “This is a program that has grown to unprecedented prominence in such a short period of time. I’m excited to build on the great work that’s already been done and help these young men achieve their goals both on and off the court.”
In Utah Prep’s press release announcing Smart, AJ Dybantsa, the nation’s number one recruit in the 2025 class, had a written statement.
“Keith Smart is a game-changer,” said AJ Dybantsa. “Having someone with his experience and knowledge is incredible. I’m excited to learn from him and grow as a player and a person. This is going to be a special season.”
Smart compiled a record of 93-170 as an NBA head coach. He coached former BYU star Jimmer Fredette in Sacramento.
As a player, Smart led the Indiana Hoosiers to an NCAA Championship in 1987 with a game-winning shot over Syracuse.
New direction at Utah Prep
Utah Prep’s former head coach, Justin Yamzon, announced last week in an Instagram post that he had been “released” from his duties. Yamzon was a former player at BYU-Hawaii.
Utah Prep has a national television spotlight game this Sunday night when they take on Montverde Academy on ESPN2.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
