BREAKING: AJ Dybantsa turns Madison Square Garden into his stage, lifts BYU to historic win
I watched a freshman seize a game, then seize a night. AJ Dybantsa erupted for 28 points, nine rebounds, and six assists as No. 10 BYU stormed back to beat Clemson 67 to 64 in the Jimmy V Classic. Down 22 at halftime, BYU pulled off the largest second half comeback in program history. Robert Wright III drilled the buzzer beater. Dybantsa owned the 20 minutes that led to it.
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The Takeover
The second half began, and Dybantsa took the ball. He hunted matchups, got downhill, and lived at the stripe. He slipped into space on the wing, rose up, and buried clean pull ups. He drew the defense, then hit cutters on time. His pace never rushed. His choices never wavered.
He scored 22 after the break. Every bucket felt like a message. He attacked switches, absorbed contact, and still finished soft off glass. He also reset the offense when the moment got tight. That calm is rare for any player, let alone a freshman on the Garden floor.
His work on the glass mattered just as much. Second chances kept BYU’s belief alive. So did his late game reads. Clemson showed help at the nail. He punished it with a slot skip to Wright. The final shot will live in highlights. The line that made it possible belongs to Dybantsa.
BYU erased a 22 point halftime deficit, then won 67 to 64 on a buzzer beater. Dybantsa scored 22 in the second half.
What It Means for BYU
This is the signature that makes a season. It is also the moment that can change a program. Dybantsa reclassified to 2025, arrived as the No. 1 recruit, and chose BYU over blue bloods. He became the school’s first No. 1 overall signee. Tonight showed why he came. The system gives him room, shooters, and pace. He gives the Cougars a north star.
The culture impact is real. Teammates looked to him when the scoreboard said panic. He gave them poise. You could feel the bench lift with each stop and swing three. For recruiting, this is proof of concept. BYU can land elite talent. BYU can also put that talent in the best light on a national stage.
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Inside the Film and the Draft Lens
I counted 55 NBA scouts and executives in the building. Yes, the Nets were among them. They saw a wing who can score, pass, and think at high speed. They saw a closer who controls the fourth quarter without forcing shots. They also saw defense that travels, active feet, and strong hands in crowds.
Here are the scouting takeaways that will stick on cards across the league:
- Shot creation off the bounce, with balance and touch in the mid range
- Live dribble passing to both corners, plus timing on short rolls
- Free throw poise, late game mechanics stayed repeatable
- Competitive edge on the glass, plus two way effort on key possessions
He already owns a winning resume. FIBA U19 gold. MVP honors. The lone freshman named to the AP Preseason All American team. Add a Garden comeback that will loop on every screen in pro offices. He is firmly in the 2026 No. 1 pick conversation today. The size, skill, and feel point to a complete two way wing. The maturity points to a franchise piece.
This was the night hype became proof. The tape from the second half will be the clip package in every draft room.
What Comes Next
BYU leaves New York with belief and a badge. The schedule will tighten, and the film will adjust. Traps will come earlier. Help will sit lower. That is fine. Dybantsa has counters, and BYU has spacing to support him. The next step is stamina over the grind, plus clean decision making in scout heavy games.
For Dybantsa, it is simple. Keep stacking team wins. Keep sharpening the three off movement. Keep guarding without fouling. The talent already screams pro. The polish he showed tonight whispers star.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was AJ Dybantsa’s stat line at the Jimmy V Classic?
A: He finished with 28 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. He scored 22 in the second half.
Q: How big was BYU’s comeback?
A: BYU trailed by 22 at halftime. It is the largest second half comeback in school history.
Q: Who hit the game winner?
A: Robert Wright III sank the buzzer beating three to seal the 67 to 64 win.
Q: Were NBA teams in the building?
A: Yes. About 55 scouts and executives attended, including representatives from the Nets.
Q: Why is Dybantsa viewed as a top 2026 pick?
A: He blends shot making, playmaking, and defense with poise in big moments. That mix projects at the top of the draft.
Conclusion
The Garden has told the truth about stars for decades. Tonight it told the truth about AJ Dybantsa. He dragged BYU back, lifted his team over the line, and did it with control and fire. Freshman hype met pressure, and pressure lost. If you are setting a draft board for 2026, start at the top, then write his name in ink.
