BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa is currently playing for Team USA at the 2025 FIBA U19 AmeriCup in Switzerland. The squad has been nothing short of dominant so far, and Dybantsa has played an important role in the team's impressive run.
However, not everyone's been sold on AJ Dybanta's performance at the tournament. On Saturday, the Instagram basketball page Top Recruits shared a post comparing him to Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett and suggesting that he might not live up to the hype when he gets to the NBA. The post reads as follows:
"I'm watching AJ at the USA U-19's, and I'm starting to see an RJ Barrett comparison. Don't think he will be a bad pro, but I also don't see a superstar. After 5 games, AJ is averaging 15.8 PPG/4 RPG/& 2.4 APG (FG% 53.8/FG3% 14.3/FT% 83.3%)🇺🇲🏀”
Trending
The post has sparked a wave of reactions from fans, many of whom pushed back against the criticism and dismissed the bleak prediction.
"When you are #1 in the rankings for as long as he was… they start looking for things to bring you down," one fan said.
"First off Rj isn't 6'9 second off Rj don't have a 42 inch vert 3rd off Rj has never had a handle as tight as Aj. You don't know ball, this is the most obvious superstar ever," another fan said.
"He is a Super Star. U not watching the Games my G. Constantly makes the right play on offense and defense. Rebounds and pass the well, I'm sure he can do more but why when ur team is loaded!" said another.
Some fans even argued that AJ Dybantsa's numbers, though labeled underwhelming in the post, were actually quite solid, especially considering that he's sharing the court with a star-studded Team USA roster.
"These numbers on this caliber of team translates into star numbers on said players own team lol," one fan said.
"He can take over when he wants to .. He is being unselfish since everyone on the team is good . You can't judge him off being a pro and he hasn't play college ball yet . He can stay two or three years and you're saying he isn't a star," said another.
"Hard to display superstar tendencies when you're playing with other high-caliber players", another fan said.
Team USA has won all the matches it has played so far, including its commanding 120-64 semi-final victory against New Zealand on Saturday. The team is now through to the final, where they will face Germany on Sunday.
AJ Dybantsa delivers 22 points to power Team USA past Canada at FIBA U19 World Cup quarterfinals
Team USA has been steamrolling its way through the FIBA U19 World Cup, cruising past opponents with ease, including a massive 73-point blowout against Jordan. The team's encounter against Canada in the quarterfinal game on Friday, however, required a little bit extra, as it ended in a hard-fought 108-102 victory.
BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa proved to be a key difference-maker in that hard-fought win, leading the team with 22 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Louisville freshman Mikel Brown Jr. also put up quite a performance, delivering 20 points, two rebounds, and eight assists.
Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma, or Kim Mulkey - who is NCAAW's highest-paid coach? Find out here
