No. 1 Hoops Recruit AJ Dybantsa Sets Date For Kansas State Visit

Shandel Richardson | Aug 15, 2024

Prolific Prep's AJ Dybantsa takes a half court shot at the basket during a game on Orangeville Prep on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. / Marc Vasconcellos/The Enterprise / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Kansas State basketball program is officially in the hunt for the nation's top player in the 2025 class.

It was revealed Thursday A.J. Dybantsa will visit the Wildcats the weekend of Aug. 30, the same time as the football team opens the season against UT-Martin. The news was first reported by ESPN's Paul Biancardi.

The 6-foot-9 Dybantsa, who averaged 22.6 points during the Elite Youth Basketball League, joins Darryn Peterson (No. 3 in 2025) and four-star wing Cam Ward as recent top-tier recruits to have interest in the Wildcats.

Recruitment News Update:
AJ Dybantsa tells ESPN his official visit schedule:

Kansas State: August 30-1@KStateMBB

Kansas: September 6-8@KUHoops

UNC: September 20-22@UNC_Basketball

Alabama: September 27-29@AlabamaMBB

Baylor: October 4-6@BaylorMBB

BYU: October 11-13… pic.twitter.com/bbRlr9Vjij

— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) August 15, 2024

ROMAINE READY FOR BIG SOPHOMORE SEASON

Last season Kansas State linebacker Austin Romaine was just like any other freshman.

He started fast before slumping to the finish line.

Now, the Wildcats hope he's fully acclimated to college football so he can produce at a high level for a full season.

"Last year I think he just got caught up in how long of a season is," K-State defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman said. "He started off hot. We liked him. I thought he'd be good in a reserve role.

Everything changed when veteran Daniel Green was lost to injury for the season in early September. It thrust Romaine into the lineup perhaps earlier than expected.

"All of a sudden, he's playing a lot more," Klanderman said. "He did well initially. I think by Week Eight, Nine, 10, when his body and mind are starting to wear down, that's a lot different intensity than high school football." 

The year wasn't a complete wash for Romaine. He finished with 22 tackles and one sack. His five starts were the most by a freshman linebacker since 1988.

Klanderman still calls him an "upper echelon player" who they expect to contribute often.

"He retooled himself and this spring he was awesome," Klanderman said. "We were kind of waiting to see if there was an encore performance of that this fall and there has been. He's been sensational." 

Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Kansas State Wildcats On SI. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com

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