SALT LAKE CITY – Phoenix Suns star forward Kevin Durant had just completed a pregame workout on Dec. 13 in preparation for his long-awaited return after an ankle injury. Certainly, there was some rehab and rest to be had before facing the Utah Jazz. But before heading to the visiting locker room, Durant made a point to sit and talk for several minutes to a big fan of his who also happens also be the No. 1 high school basketball player in America.

AJ Dybantsa, a projected future NBA star, also spent time with Suns guard Devin Booker and rookie forward Ryan Dunn.

“I love him. I was just chopping it up asking him when he plays again,” Durant told Andscape after a 134-126 win against the Jazz. “Wish I was able to see that. I got to know him two summers ago between his sophomore and junior year in high school. He came to work out with us.

“I was impressed by his size and fluidity as a player, his ballhandling. He was shooting jump shots well. He got the body type to become a pro in this league for 20 years. It is good to be around him. He has a lot of energy, too.”

“You can already tell the maturity level. You can tell the competitive nature through the conversation. You can just tell when someone is more advanced than their age. I picked that up and gathered that from him early,” Booker told Andscape.

Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 wing, announced his surprising commitment to BYU on Dec. 10 on ESPN’s First Take. The projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft received an NIL deal from BYU believed to be at least $5 million, sources said, and turned down similar scholarships and financial offers from Kansas, North Carolina and Alabama. Dybantsa, who is Catholic, told Andscape he chose the Mormon university in large part because its coaching staff has NBA experience, led by BYU Kevin Young, who was a Suns associate head coach and assistant coach from 2020-24 and coached in the G League.

Dybantsa, 17, said that he is trusts Young and BYU to prepare him for the NBA in what is expected to be a one-and-done season. Young says the Cougars are excited and ready for the Utah Prep forward.

“It’s unparalleled excitement, but it seems like a two-way street,” Young said of Dybantsa to Andscape before the Jazz-Suns game. “He’s just as excited as everybody else, which is really cool. I want to teach him a lot of the nuances. It’s funny just seeing Book before this game talking to him. He is so detailed-oriented about the defensive coverages and nuances and details of everyone’s job, pick-and-roll schemes. Teaching [Dybantsa] that kind of stuff will help him more than drawing up a great play for him.

“I want to challenge him on the [defensive] end of the floor. And offensively, we will help each other. He will make my job easy. I will help him be more efficient, and offensively that is where I go to the most.”

“He’s in great hands with coach K.Y. We’ve done a lot of special things together. He allowed me to take my game to the next level and he’s going to do the same for him,” Booker said.

On Dec. 13, Dybantsa and his father, Anicet Dybantsa Sr., talked to Andscape for the following Q&A about the BYU decision, their game plan, NIL rumors, their honest father-son relationship, dealing with agents’ interest, the teenager’s NBA mentors and much more.

So, when it was official to the world that you were going to BYU, was there a sense of relief?

AJ: Yeah, there was definitely a relief. I already knew where I was going and I could keep secrets, but it’s just nice just letting the world know because I was still getting texts and calls and comments like, ‘Oh, you’re going for four different options.’

What did you think about the wide-ranging reaction to the decision to go to BYU?

Anicet: Could care less. His decision.

AJ: Same thing.

What was the determining factor?

AJ: Those four pillars that I talked about on all the shows. It was a family atmosphere, a winning program, a development program and [an NBA experienced] coach.

There probably aren’t a lot of people who are educated on Young taking over BYU. What should folks know about this program that was attractive to you?

AJ: They’re new, but 90% of the staff is from the NBA. Kevin Young coached in the NBA. Michael Davie was Giannis’ strength coach. Craig Manning was Giannis’ development coach. Their dietician is from the Phoenix Suns. The analytics guy is from the NBA. Everybody is NBA something. If I could sharpen myself with NBA guys a year earlier, then it’s going to be better for me.

Tell me about what Coach Young said that resonated with you more so than any other coach?

AJ: It was basically just the NBA stuff. He said that I’ve done that at the highest level … We can trickle it back down to college and do the same thing that NBA guys are doing in college. And that really stuck out to me because all those other programs have made guys go to the NBA. All those other schools have a ton of NBA guys. But these coaches [at BYU] have been coaching in the NBA with NBA guys. And that was the big difference.

Did you talk to any of the Suns players about Young?

AJ: I spoke to KD and Book, CP3 [Chris Paul]. KD was just talking about how [Young] is a great coach. Book said the same thing, calling it ‘KYU.’ He said he was going to turn this university around and CP told me the same thing. They all said the same thing about I was just saying about [Young].

Which NBA players do you consider mentors now?

AJ: The closest relationships I have are probably Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Paul George, Bradley Beal, [Jayson] Tatum, Paolo [Banchero].

What’s the best word of advice they have given you?

AJ: Take your time. They say don’t be in rush to get to the NBA. You still want to enjoy this life, because when it gets to the NBA, it’s way different than what people see.

In your decision, did you factor in much campus life or are you strictly focused on basketball and school for a year before going to the NBA?

AJ: A little bit of both, but most of these schools are in the middle of nowhere anyway. It’s like, I’m trying to lock-in for eight months.

As a Boston suburban kid from Brockton, why were you attracted to colleges in small towns and not the big city?

AJ: The best schools happen to be in the middle of nowhere. Less distraction. It’s better.

BYU has an honor code. Have you read through the whole thing? (Note: The Church of Latter-Day Saints has an honor code that includes being honest; no sexual relations outside of marriage; abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee, vaping and marijuana; no beards; a dress code; and to attend church services.)

AJ: No, I haven’t.

It basically says such things as you can’t drink, no sexual relations outside of marriage, you must attend Mormon church services and more. Does any of that even jump at you as a possible issue?

AJ: Not really. I’m already on a diet, so I’m not drinking a lot of stuff anyway. I have a certain religion, so I’m still going to pray to my God. I am trying to get to the NBA.

As Catholics, does the Mormon environment have an impact?

Anicet: No. Not at all.

AJ: No.

Will you be open-minded about what they ask you to do?

Anicet: That’s it.

Do you feel added pressure being so close to the 2026 NBA draft that you can’t make any mistakes off the court?

AJ: There’s pressure, but I’m not really feeling it because, I mean, it’s not a job yet for me. I’m still trying to have fun and like college. College supposed to be fun. Playing in March Madness, just having the excitement of playing basketball. It is two years away. It’s going to come quick, but I mean, it’s still far away, so I still got time. So, I’m just not really worried about mistakes.

Do you enjoy the celebrity of it?

AJ: Not really. When I was younger, I was like, ‘Oh, my God, I want to be famous.’ But at heart I’m much like a low-key, chill dude. I would rather be [more] out [of] the way than what I am. But I mean it comes with it.

When did you realize that you were losing your anonymity?

AJ: I just had to start walking through back doors, [have] security out of games.

What do you think about the fascination with the NIL money and what you guys got and who paid more and the way society is viewing it? (Note: There have been rumors that AJ Dybantsa has received between $5 million and $8 million in NIL money. The Dybantsas didn’t reveal the amount.)

Anicet: Well, regardless to what I say, people going to write whatever they want. I know what he got. He didn’t find out until he picked the school. My wife and I chose not to tell him because we didn’t want money to affect his decision. So, once we told him, once he picked the school and I told him. That was it. So as far as the people, they are entitled to their opinion. People are going to talk regardless.

K State [Kansas State] before they pulled out, Alabama, UNC, BYU, they all offered the same. It was just a matter of where he wanted to go.

How much of a blessing is it to be in a NIL world that didn’t exist two or three years ago where you can now benefit from this?

Anicet: I’m a kid from Congo, brother. I am living the American dream. Literally.

AJ, what did you think when you find out the money on the NIL deal with BYU?

AJ: It’s cool. I’m trying to get to the NBA to have that type of money. Seeing this is good, but it’s nothing that can be compared to what type of money I can keep getting if I keep turning up …

It’s just reality. You see the numbers at Tatum, Luka [Dončić], [Nikola] Jokić and Giannis [Antetokounmpo] are getting? The numbers are only going to get higher by the time I get there. Yeah, it’s money. It’s good money. I’m trying to get way higher.

You come from a family where you were able to get what you needed. But what does it mean to be able to take care of your family any way you need to now financially?

AJ: I have thought about it. Me and my [two] sisters, I would never say I got it out the mud. We lived in a good city block in Massachusetts, south side of Brockton, Massachusetts. So, we always had food to eat, we went to private school. We always lived good, but it’s just being able to give back to the people that’s been with me since I was born.

What would you like to spoil yourself with?

AJ: I’m not really a flashy person. Maybe a house so I would be like the big-time coaches. I am not really into cars. I’m going to get a car. I’m not really into crazy stuff.

What does it mean to have a strong Black father helping you and guiding you every day? What example do you and your father show America?

AJ: It’s a great example. I’ve seen certain people, certain families, with only single mothers. And not to say their mother’s not doing everything she can, because she definitely is. But I just see the difference of how I grew up and how I act versus how they act. Definitely, especially as a son, just having a father model is just great because you see what a real man supposed to be doing. He might not do what you do because he doesn’t play basketball. But just everything else outside of basketball, you see a role model. You see expectation of what you should or surpass it because obviously they want you to do better than them. So, you see the expectation and you just got to surpass it.

Often times, a Black father that is heavily involved with their child in athletics can be criticized as too overbearing and can be overlooked. What are your thoughts on that?

Anicet: Welcome to America.

What do you think about how you’re guiding your son and how society looks at it positively and negatively?

Anicet: I hope they look at it positively. I’m hate protecting. I hear [I need] the agent when I do this, want to do that. I changed the diapers, so I’m going to decide if I’m going to need you. So far, I don’t need an agent. I’m behind him with whatever he wants to do. If it makes sense, I always want to support him. Just like the schools, he picked the school. I asked him why. He gave me a reason. I told him, ‘I don’t think this one best you.’ We agreed. We move on. I picked some schools for him. He didn’t like it at first and he changed his mind. So, we always have to agree always. And that’s the way it’s going to be always.

What did you think about his decision to pick BYU?

Anicet: I’m cool with it because he wanted to play in the Big 12. My wife and I had a good impression of KY when we first met him. We met him without [my son]. My wife and I went to Utah around the 21st of April during the [NBA] playoffs. The man flew from Phoenix to come and meet us. So, he told us the expectation and we continued the conversation. And ultimately, again, I did not tell [my son] where to go. Pick a school, tell me why, If it’s good, we’re going there. And that’s exactly what he did.

What did your mom think?

AJ: My mom actually loves Provo. She loves the scenery. She loves the school. She been on all the visits. So, my mom’s more of the academic side and she liked the academic part of it, and she just thought it was a good fit. My mom has a nose for things, and this is one of her choices, too.

What kind of things does your mom discipline you about from afar?

AJ: Schoolwork. That’s the biggest thing. I got to show her.

For somebody that’s projected to be a one-and-done, why is school important to you?

AJ: Basketball is not forever. When you’re done with basketball, what are you going to do outside? For the most part, the best basketball players are the most successful off the court, too.

Is there anything you want to study and eventually try to get your degree in?

AJ: I’m going to study financial planning. But when I’m done playing basketball, I hope to just be on TV with what Shaq [O’Neal] and them do.

You got a personality for it?

AJ: I think so. People have told me I do.

How would you describe your father-son relationship?

Anicet: He knows who I am. We mess around. But when it comes to discipline, he knows. We are very open. We talk about everything. I mean everything. Sex, religion, the whole nine. We talk about everything. Very open. It’s very important.

Is it kind of like a tough love on your son?

AJ: Yeah. I never had a good game in my life. I’m so serious.

How has that pushed you?

AJ: It pushed me. I know when I have good games, but I want to prove him that I have a good game. So, I got to do more. It pushes me to do more.

Do you think you’d be the player you are now if your father didn’t challenge you the way he does?

AJ: No, I wouldn’t be. I’d probably cruise off. That’s why I said I need a non-sugarcoating coach because I know how to motivate myself to an extent. But I just need somebody to get on me because it would just make me be better.

How do you want BYU to coach you?

AJ: Just keep it real. If I’m doing something wrong, tell me. Don’t just because I’m who I am, just let it rock. When I get to the NBA, it’s a job at the end of the day. So, I want to be prepared.

What was it like being at a BYU basketball game after your announcement got out?

AJ: It was good. I went the next day. They announced my name at halftime and the whole crowd was just going crazy. All the phones out. The flashlights. It was fun just getting the support early.

If you could enter the NBA draft out of high school, would you have done it?

AJ: Probably not. No. I told my mom I’m going go to college.

Anicet: Mama wouldn’t let him. Do one year of college.

Are you talented enough, you think, to play in NBA right now?

AJ: Yeah. Obviously, you just got to learn different things. If I were to get to a training camp, summer league, I just have to get used to that [3-point] line.

Anicet: That’s what they telling me.

What are the things you want to improve on the most before you get there?

AJ: Definitely my 3-point shot. Just being 40% make my drives easier. And then when I get into the paint, it’s going to just be easier to reads, pass or layup.

So, what is Utah life like right now playing for Utah Prep in small town Hurricane, Nevada?

AJ: Nothing. Golf. I play golf, I go to the gym and I’m his Uber.

Nothing to do. School and basketball. That’s it.

What kind of impact do you want to, what kind of international dreams do you have in terms of promoting yourself off the court? Are you and your father and your team already thinking about that?

AJ: Just promoting myself in different countries. Obviously, he wants me to be big back home where he is from in France. My mom is from Jamaica. I really want to get through clinics with basketball stuff out there in different countries because not a lot of countries have that.

What impact did your time in Congo and Jamaica, where your parents are originally from, have on you?

AJ: Just to be grateful. Jamaica is a little better than where he’s from [Congo]. Be grateful because those guys don’t have shoes to wear on. They walk outside barefoot. So, you just see where they live, you just got to be grateful for little things …

When I was 5, we went to Congo and [my dad] gave away pens and pencils. Ever since then I was, like, when I had the chance to get back, I’ve donated my Gatorade Player of the Year check. I’ve done backpack giveaways, sneaker giveaways, bunch of stuff, Legos, bikes — in the Boston, Brockton area, in Jamaica. It’s good. Kids look up to you, and being able to help is just a good feeling.

Do you have aspirations to play for USA Basketball in the 2028 L.A. Olympics?

AJ: That’s the goal. Trying to make the team is the goal. I have to keep trending upwards. Obviously, there’s guys that’s hooping right now. My position probably got a couple people like Paolo, Brandon Miller. There’s going to be guys in these next two drafts coming up. You don’t know who’s coming back, going back. That shooting guard position, Ant [Anthony Edwards]. Tatum could be back.

So just keep turning upwards and then do the other things. But I did tell Paul George on the podcast, ‘If I’m the last guy on that bench, I’ll still play.’

What’s the most challenging thing for you being so far away from home? What do you miss the most?

AJ: Just not seeing my mom and my sisters. That’s about it. My home. Home itself. It’s cool, but I want to explore different parts [of the country] anyway.

On July 31, you left the Boston University Police Department to concentrate on and be with your son. How did you end it?

Anicet: Three weeks before I see my chief. I said, ‘Chief, I can’t do this anymore.’ He said, ‘What took you so long?’ He couldn’t believe what I did last year. Every weekend I was on the road. I worked doubles Monday through Thursday so I can have weekends off. Anytime he saw me he would shake his head. And when I told him, he said, ‘What took you so long?’

Your father retiring from being a policeman to support you, what does that mean?

AJ: He told me it was going to be a matter of time until he did it. But he’ll come back home, take me to practice, take me to go work out. So, he’ll sleep in a car while I’m practicing. Take me to work out, drop me off, sleep for an hour, then go back to work. I’m like, I can barely do school and ball.

What does that say about him?

AJ: It’s just the expectations that he has. So, when I have kids, I have my son and you just got to set the standard. That’s what real love is.

You have a Nike and Red Bull deal and more on the horizon. How would you handle on and off the court without having an agent?

Anicet: They call me all the time and I tell them I’m good … I use my favorite word, which is, ‘No.’ ‘Can we?’ ‘No, I’m good. If I need you, I will call you.’

The first offer I got from an agent was half a million. I say, no thank you. The second one, he said, ‘I’ve got $200,000 cash. Make it $250[000].’ I looked at it, I said, ‘I just turned down half a million.’ So, I say I was very polite. I’m like, ‘Let me talk to my wife.’ I’ll get back to you. Never did.

The third one, $900,000 to represent him. I’m like, ‘No.’ He said, ‘That’s almost a million dollars.’ ‘Why didn’t you just make it a cool million?’ What happen? I’m 56 years old. I was never a millionaire, not even once. He goes, ‘What’s your point?’ I said, ‘Well, if I waited 56 years, what is two more years? He just looked at me, shook his head and walked away.’ And I told [AJ] you are not for sale, so when they come to you, think about it.

AJ, has anyone tried a sneaky way to reach to you?

AJ: No, my [direct messages] are blocking and I have a new number. And I’m going to change my number again. I don’t want to talk to you. I’m just trying to play basketball and go to school. I don’t need to worry about it.