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AJ Dybantsa Drops BYU Freshman-Record 43 in Rivalry Win Over Utah

The breakout lifts BYU to 17-2 entering a home date with No. 1 Arizona.

Overview

  • Dybantsa finished with 43 points on 15-for-24 shooting, 4-for-5 from three and 9-for-10 at the line, adding six rebounds, three assists and a block to surpass Danny Ainge’s freshman mark.
  • BYU beat Utah 91-78, shot 60% after halftime and used a 14-3 second-half run to pull away, improving to 5-1 in Big 12 play.
  • Robert Wright III scored 21 and Richie Saunders added 12 for BYU; Utah’s Keanu Dawes had 23 and Terrence Brown 22 as the Utes hit 62% from three.
  • Head coach Kevin Young labeled Dybantsa the clear-cut No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, echoing widespread projections that place him in the top three for 2026.
  • Dybantsa’s showing came on a day when fellow freshmen Keaton Wagler scored 46 for Illinois and Kingston Flemings had 42 for Houston, highlighting a prolific first-year class.