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UNC Basketball: Top Prep Draws Chant From Presumptive Winner

The home-state hopeful in the AJ Dybantsa sweepstakes might have too much momentum for the UNC basketball recruiters to overcome.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball recruiting target AJ Dybantsa
UNC basketball recruiting target AJ Dybantsa / Marc Vasconcellos/The Enterprise / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Five-star UNC basketball recruiting target AJ Dybantsa arrived in Provo, Utah, on Saturday afternoon and watched the undefeated BYU Cougars notch a 95-71 home victory over the Idaho Vandals. The Utah Prep senior standout's visit serves as another sign that the Cougars are the frontrunner to prevail in the high-profile race.

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While creating an electric atmosphere in the Marriot Center, there's no doubt that BYU fans became aware of Dybantsa's attendance. After all, as one can hear in the following video, in the final minutes of the Cougars' lopsided win, the patrons began chanting, "We want AJ!"

Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9, 210-pound forward who ranks No. 1 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite and is eyeing a December decision, has now checked out BYU in person on three occasions.

So, it's no surprise that first-year BYU head coach Kevin Young and his cohorts are the favorite to land the heralded talent, according to both the 247Sports Crystal Ball and On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

He's down to a top seven of BYU, UNC, Alabama, Baylor, Auburn, Kansas, and Kansas State.

Meanwhile, fourth-year UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his crew enjoy two early signees on the 2025 trail in Davidson Day School (N.C.) four-star guard Isaiah Denis and Gonzaga College High School (D.C.) four-star guard Derek Dixon.

ALSO READ: Tar Heels React to Junior's Breakout UNC Performance

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball recruiting news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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