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Alabama Hoops a finalist for top 2025 prospect AJ Dybantsa

By Zach Breathwaite

Team Oak Soldier’s AJ Dybantsa (3) dunks the ball against Team Thad during the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League session one on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Memphis Sports & Event Center in Memphis, Tenn.
Team Oak Soldier’s AJ Dybantsa (3) dunks the ball against Team Thad during the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League session one on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Memphis Sports & Event Center in Memphis, Tenn. / Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Coming off of its first ever Final Four run in program history last season, Alabama Basketball doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. Coach Nate Oats and his staff put together arguably the best 2024 offseason in college hoops, and now it’s turning its attention towards the class of 2025.

Bama doesn’t have any 2025 commitments yet, but it’s pretty safe to assume Coach Oats will put together another stellar class. The gem of that class might just be one of the best pro prospects in the world. 

Forward AJ Dybantsa is the top-ranked player in the class of 2025, and released a list containing his seven finalists this week. Alabama is included on the list along with Kansas, North Carolina, Baylor, Kansas State, BYU, and Auburn. This is quite an intriguing list for such a highly-touted player. Dybantsa is expected to be patient with his recruitment, and it appears Bama will be in it for the long haul. 

Kansas and North Carolina are the obvious bluebloods in this recruitment. The inclusion of both Alabama and Auburn speaks to the progress both programs have made in elevating themselves to the sport’s elite tier. BYU is a dark horse favorite to land Dybantsa. The Cougars landed two one-and-done caliber prospects in the 2024 class in Kanon Catchings and Egor Demin, and Dybantsa will play his senior season of high school ball in Utah. Big 12 players Kansas State and Baylor are also quietly in the mix.

At 6’9”, AJ Dybantsa possesses NBA-ready length and athleticism to go with the skill set of a 2-guard. As he progresses, he seems to continuously eliminate weaknesses from his game. For Alabama fans that haven’t yet seen Dybantsa play, think Brandon Miller-plus. 

Dybantsa is a generational prospect who was originally a member of the class of 2026. He reclassified to 2025 last October and eclipsed a fellow future lottery pick in Cameron Boozer for the top spot in the class.

This would be a program-defining win on the recruiting trail if Alabama can land him. Just being included as a finalist is a testament to how far Coach Oats has brought Bama Hoops.

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