AJ Dybantsa’s journey to BYU began with his parents, though it was never quite as simple as just a decision made over dinner. His mother, Maria, had always dreamed of a future for AJ, one where his talents could be nurtured in the best environments, where his drive and determination could take him far beyond the confines of the small town in which they had lived. His father, John, was more pragmatic, believing that hard work and self-sufficiency were the true keys to success. Together, they had woven a complex tapestry of aspirations and doubts, love and logic, ambition and caution.
From a young age, AJ had been a prodigy on the basketball court. It was as if the ball spoke to him, guiding his hands with a natural rhythm, making his movements seem effortless. He had watched his father work tirelessly in construction, his broad shoulders carrying the weight of the family’s livelihood, while his mother worked late nights as a nurse. Both parents sacrificed their time to give AJ everything they had, but the journey to BYU was one that required both their sacrifice and belief in something more.
The turning point came during his sophomore year of high school. AJ had just led his team to a state championship, his plays becoming the talk of the town. College scouts began to circle around him, their pens poised over notebooks, their eyes wide with opportunity. The tension in their small living room grew as they discussed his future. Maria was eager for him to pursue his dream, to play for a university that could give him the exposure he needed to play professionally. John, however, worried about the stability of such a dream. He feared the pressure, the uncertainty, and the sacrifices AJ would have to make to stand out among thousands of other hopefuls.
“You don’t know what they’ll ask of you there, AJ,” John said one evening, his deep voice roughened with concern. “BYU… it’s a big stage. You’re not just playing for fun anymore. It’s a business.”
AJ had heard these words before, but this time they stung. He had always known his father’s hesitancy about his basketball dream, but the truth in John’s words was undeniable. His mother, on the other hand, smiled with quiet understanding. “Your father just wants you to be safe,” she said, placing a hand on AJ’s shoulder. “But you’ve got something special, son. I’ve seen it. I know the work you’ve put in.”
But it wasn’t just about the game. BYU wasn’t just a stepping stone to a professional career; it was a place where his faith would be tested, his character refined. AJ wasn’t a stranger to faith. Raised in a home where religion was as much a part of his upbringing as basketball, the decision to attend BYU was deeply intertwined with his values. The institution’s commitment to honor, integrity, and academic excellence appealed to both him and his family, even if they didn’t fully understand all the complexities that came with it.
It wasn’t long before AJ made his choice. After visiting the campus on a recruiting trip, walking through the hallowed halls where legends had once walked, feeling the weight of tradition in the air, it became clear: this was the place that would challenge him in every way. As much as the game of basketball had shaped his life, BYU would shape him as a person. The coaches weren’t just interested in his ability on the court—they wanted to mold him into a man who could face challenges both on and off the court with courage and grace.
The night before he left, AJ sat in the small living room with his parents. The weight of the decision finally hit him, the magnitude of what lay ahead—strangers, a new city, the unknown—was something he could no longer avoid. His mother, ever supportive, kissed his forehead and whispered, “I know you’re going to do great things.”
His father, with all the quiet pride he could muster, gripped AJ’s shoulder. “Just don’t forget who you are. The game will come, but you’ve got to be true to yourself first. Don’t ever forget that.”
AJ’s heart swelled. It wasn’t just the basketball that brought him to BYU—it was the love and sacrifices of his parents, their guidance, and the deep-rooted belief that he could be more than just an athlete. That night, AJ Dybantsa realized that his journey to BYU wasn’t just about basketball—it was about growing, learning, and becoming the man his parents had always dreamed he could be.