DORCHESTER – It has been a sizzling minute since AJ Dybantsa stepped foot on a court docket in Massachusetts, however the nation’s top-ranked participant within the class of 2025 didn’t wait lengthy to look proper at residence.
The Brockton native transferred out to Prolific Prep in California after his freshman season at St. Sebastian’s and returned to rack up a game-high 25 factors in his return in a 91-49 win over Orangeville Prep (Ontario, Canada) in an in-season matchup from The Grind Session.
Dybantsa got here proper out of the gates with the sport’s first three factors on a proper wing three-pointer in a recreation the place Prolific Prep by no means trailed.
Dybantsa shot 3-of-5 from behind the arc and shot 64 % on 7-of-11 from the sector together with 9 rebounds and 5 assists.
Before the sport, Dybantsa was on the Brockton Boys and Girls Club donating his time and talked about that above the rest throughout his homecoming tour.
“I didn’t just come back here for two games as I wanted to give back to the community as well. They look up to me in Boston and Brockton so giving back meant so much to me,” mentioned Dybantsa, who now travels to Springfield to face Montverde Academy (Fla.) this Sunday. “I went to (Prolific) as I met coach (Ryan Bernardi) and knowing that he went to BC High – there was an instant connection.”
At St. Sebastian’s, Dybantsa averaged 19.1 factors, 9.6 rebounds and a couple of.5 blocks per recreation for the Arrows in 2022-23. In 21 video games this season, the 6-foot-7 Dybantsa is averaging 20.3 factors, 8.2 rebounds and 4 assists a recreation. The predicted first decide within the 2026 NBA draft is off to an electrical begin for Prolific Prep, capturing 55% from the sector, 37% from past the arc, and is an 80% free-throw shooter.
After being named the Massachusetts Boys’ Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year in 2023, Dybantsa reclassified to the category of 2025 and now leads the No. 2 ranked staff within the nation.
Thursday’s highlights towards Orangeville Prep received’t change these opinions and predictions.
In the second quarter, Dybantsa rattled off an incredible up and below rating for the foul as Dybantsa had 14 factors and 5 rebounds on the break and Prolific Prep was in management with a 45-23 lead earlier than a capability crowd at Boston College High School.
Dybantsa completed off his effort with a thunderous dunk and left on the 3:28 mark of the fourth quarter to a rousing applause from the standing-room solely devoted.
In simply as a lot of a homecoming, Prolific Prep’s Bernardi and assistant coach Carl Pierre are each graduates of BC High and have been honored with their dad and mom’ pre-game previous to tip-off.
“BC High is a special place and Carl was a special player and one of the best to play here. I was cut from the freshman team, so I have no experience on that floor, but I spent a lot of time in these gyms, spent a lot of time learning,” mentioned Bernardi, who was named Coach of the Year in The Grind Session 2023 season. “So, to bring AJ back home and to bring our team from all over the world to this special place was a very cool moment for me, for Carl, and the Dybantsas and just really want to express our gratitude to BC High for allowing this to happen.”
Oliver Engen led Orangeville Prep with 18 factors and was excellent on each ends.
Dybantsa has 18 Division 1 presents from the highest faculties within the nation, together with Kentucky, North Carolina, Texas, USC, Auburn, in addition to native faculties Boston College, Providence College and UConn. There are rumors of taking part in within the NBA G-League subsequent season as nicely, however Dybantsa guarantees issues are simply coming collectively.
“Keeping my options open, I have a couple visits set up and I’ll go from there. But right now – I have no clue,” mentioned Dybantsa.
Source: www.bostonherald.com