Brockton, Massachusetts, AJ Dybantsa made his parents, Anicet Dybantsa Sr. and Chelsea Dybantsa, proud by quickly rising to become the country’s No.1 high school player.
He made his BYU Sports Nation debut on Tuesday and talked with hosts Jarom Jordan and Spencer Linton about his decision to sign with the Cougars.
Highlights
- Aj Dybantsa’s parents, Ace and Chelsea Dybantsa, met at 21 when Ace moved to the United States from Paris.
- His father is a former soccer goalie at Massasoit Community College and works as a campus police officer at Boston University.
- His parents helped him with a crucial decision and suggested going to BYU over offers from other universities.
AJ began playing basketball at Saint Sebastian’s School and was named the Massachusetts Boys’ Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year.
He led his high school team to the NEPSAC Class A state championship but lost to Milton Academy with a 1-point difference of 77-76.
At the end of his freshman year, he transferred to Prolific Prep in Napa, California, and played teaming up with Tyran Stokes.
Aj led the Nike Peach Jam as a member of Expressions Elite, an Amateur Athletic Union team from Boston, in July 2023.
Later, he concluded his high school basketball career playing for Utah Prep for the 2024-25 season, reuniting with JJ Mandaquit, the nation’s seventh-ranked point guard in the 2025 class.
AJ Dybantsa’s Parents Disciplined Him To Be A Relentless Athlete
17-year-old, Aj Dybantsa, the son of Ace Dybantsa and Chelsea Dybantsa, was born on January 29, 2007, in Brockton, Massachusetts. His parents named him Anicet “AJ” Dybantsa Jr.
His parents played a significant role in shaping his disciplined and focused approach to basketball.
Aj’s father came from the Republic of Congo and grew up outside Paris. At 21, he relocated to the United States and met Chelsea from Jamaica.
Ace is a former soccer goalie at Massasoit Community College and serves as a campus police officer at Boston University.
He humorously describes himself as a Jafrican blend of traits, highlighting the fusion of their cultures. Thus, AJ’s parents’ diverse heritage has given him unique Congolese and Jamaican roots.
Furthermore, Ace declared a significant path for his son’s future right after birth and said he would play basketball.
I really don’t have [other] hobbies. I don’t play video games. If I’m not playing basketball, I’m watching basketball. If I watch a [Netflix] show, I’m sleeping through it. I can’t watch anything else.
Aj Dybantsa
AJ grew up in a strict household alongside his two sisters, Samar and Jasine, following rigorous routines. His little sister plays volleyball.
His sisters live a low-profile lifestyle but play a significant role in his life and development as a top athlete.
Moreover, he has been focused on basketball since childhood, and his father’s discipline has shaped him into a relentless athlete committed to excellence.
Ace had installed a camera in their home to ensure AJ had completed his daily routine, including push-ups twice daily, and to prevent shortcuts.
During an interview, AJ said he plays like Tracy McGrady and Shai. However, his father shared a different perspective on his playing style.
I’m really proud of him. He’s, like he said, the combination of Tracy McGrady and Shai, but he plays more like, to me, LeBron. Because he does everything. He can playmake, he can score, play defense, rebound. Although his rebounding needs some work.
Ace Dybantsa
Ace And Chelsea Dybantsa Helped AJ Choose BYU
ESPN named AJ Dybantsa as the number one player in the 2026 class following his freshman season with his first NCAA Division I college offers from different universities.
His parents helped him with a crucial decision and suggested going for BYU over offers from other universities, including Boston College, Washington, Abalama, USC, and many more.
AJ Dybantsa announces his commitment to BYU and explains his decision 🔥
— First Take (@FirstTake) December 10, 2024
"I play like a mix of Tracy McGrady and Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander]." 👀 pic.twitter.com/JIaymkr4Pz
Ace and Chelsea visited Brigham Young University, highlighting the unique opportunities for media training and personal branding.
They ensure the university could support their son’s dual development as an athlete and a media personality. The Cougar would never get to AJ unless they won over his parents.
Moreover, they carefully toured the impressive BYUtv studios and asked how much they were included in AJ’s future. With the right decision, they probably trusted BYU for AJ’s successful career path.
Aj announced that he would commit to BYU on December 10, 2024, becoming the highest-ranked committed recruit to join BYU in program history.
Additional Information
- Aj Dybantsa won a gold medal for the United States at the FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Mérida, Mexico.
- Mr. Lewin, his 8th-grade religious studies teacher, has been a mentor for him.
- He announced that he had reclassified to the 2025 class on October 11, 2023.
- On3.com named him the top high school player in the country regardless of class in July 2023.
