'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
AJ Dybantsa is the top-ranked prospect in the high school basketball Class of 2025. That has raised his profile and brought more awareness to potential business partners.
However, speaking in an interview with WCVB Channel 5 on Aug 16, 2023, the Utah Prep scholar shared what it's like to be approached for business deals at such a young age.
“It's still fun, it's just different things come like the business part of it. It’s just like yeah, we are 15, 16, 17. We're not even men yet. I’m like I ain’t got no facial hair yet. And I’m like people are trying to call me, Dybantsa told WCVB Channel 5 at the (00:01:11) mark.
Trending
The Brockton, Massachusetts native also revealed he had been seeking advice from some of the biggest NBA stars, with LeBron James telling him to find a good business partner he trusts.
AJ Dybantsa making history in NIL space
Despite saying he is only focused on basketball and not business, that has not deterred potential clients as AJ Dybantsa’s profile continues to rise.
The small forward has an On3 NIL value of $2.6 million, the highest among high school hoopers. He signed a deal worth over $4 million with Nike last month, which is uncharted waters for an athlete yet to play a single minute of college basketball.
Although he has yet to commit to any college, AJ Dybantsa could reportedly receive an NIL package of up to $4.5 million from BYU if he commits to the Cougars, who are leading the race for him.
The 17-year-old is also an ambassador for energy drink company Red Bull, the first men's basketball player to sign an NIL deal with the brand. Dybantsa was even at the Las Vegas Grand Prix to cheer the Red Bull racing team.
The 17-year-old is projected to be the number one pick in the 2026 NBA draft. But for now, Dybantsa’s focus will be on college, even though he has yet to commit to any school.
Dybantsa had originally planned to make his college commitment decision in February, but he said to ESPN last month that he could be ready to announce his pick by December.
