Top NBA prospect AJ Dybantsa signs professional Nike partnership
Former Brigham Young University standout AJ Dybantsa has signed a professional endorsement contract with Nike as he prepares for the upcoming NBA Draft.
The projected lottery pick originally agreed to a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal with the sportswear giant in January 2024.
He has now extended that agreement into a formal professional basketball contract ahead of his rookie season.
“It means everything,” Dybantsa told ESPN.
“They’ve been with me since Day 1. It’s been a great partnership and we’re looking forward to keep building for the long term.”
Aiming for the number one pick
The 6ft 9in forward declared for the draft following a spectacular freshman season where he led the nation with 25.5 points per game.
Operating at an impressive 51% shooting efficiency, he also averaged 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest.
The Boston native is determined to be the very first name called by NBA officials in June.
“Ever since the rankings came out in 9th grade, I’ve been No. 1,” he said.
“I haven’t been nothing lower. So, it’s definitely a goal of mine to go No. 1.”
Preparing for the physical step up
To ready himself for the professional ranks, the teenager is currently training in Los Angeles alongside former Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas.
He has also been studying the intensity of the league firsthand, recently attending a playoff matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets.
“It’s definitely physical. Things get a little more crazy in the playoffs,” Dybantsa noted.
His physical preparation began early during his collegiate career under the guidance of former Milwaukee Bucks strength director Michael Davie.
Davie used advanced sports science to benchmark the young prospect’s athletic metrics against established NBA veterans.
“He would compare, for example, my lateral movement compared to Jrue Holiday or my vertical jump compared to Giannis Antetokounmpo,” Dybantsa explained.
Tactically, former BYU head coach Kevin Young also tailored his offensive system to mirror professional schemes.
The former Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns assistant relied heavily on early-action plays and isolation sets to accelerate his star player’s development.