This morning, blue chip recruit AJ Dybantsa selected BYU as his school vacation spot for subsequent season. We had the prospect to meet up with the Boston native in Portland on the Nike Hoop Summit earlier this yr. He’s one of many high prospects to emerge at the highschool degree in various seasons. Through the interview, I discussed to Dybantsa that he’s paying homage to Tracy McGrady, a multi-skilled ahead with elite shot creation and ball expertise together with measurement, fluidity and athleticism.
NBADraft.internet: Okay, so that you’ve been to Portland earlier than, or is that this the primary time in Portland?
AJ Dybantsa: I’ve been right here earlier than.
NBADraft.internet: You’ve been right here earlier than. How’s the expertise been thus far for you this time?
AJ Dybantsa: I imply, it’s been nice. Clearly, representing each nations, my mother and my dad, and having the ability to play with different guys from totally different components of the world is an efficient expertise, not simply enjoying with guys from the U.S. My dad’s from Congo and my mother’s from Jamaica.
NBADraft.internet: Have you ever been to both of these locations?
AJ Dybantsa: I’ve been to each, yeah.
NBADraft.internet: What’s your impression of these locations?
AJ Dybantsa: I imply, my dad’s household is absolutely poor, so it’s tough going again and seeing it, however my mother’s from Jamaica, so it’s like a trip spot.
NBADraft.internet: Did you go to Kingston?
AJ Dybantsa: I went to Kingston to go get my citizenship. My mother’s from Montego Bay, the place the surroundings is.
NBADraft.internet: Okay. So that you spent a little bit time there and received to expertise the tradition there. You’re a reggae fan?
AJ Dybantsa: I’m not an enormous reggae fan, however I’ve listened to it earlier than.
NBADraft.internet: What do you hope to get out of this Hoop Summit occasion?
AJ Dybantsa: I’ll simply learn to play with different guys. I imply, undoubtedly studying from them, as a result of, like, the FIBA video games, abroad basketball is means totally different than right here, so if I can take a few of their sport and implement it to my sport.
NBADraft.internet: You transitioned to a brand new college enjoying in Napa at Prolific. What was that transition like?
AJ Dybantsa: Positively totally different in comparison with my different old skool. Taking part in a nationwide schedule, enjoying with higher gamers, so undoubtedly received me higher.
NBADraft.internet: And was it an adjustment simply being in several place, was that tough?
AJ Dybantsa: I imply, it wasn’t tough for me, as a result of I reside with a number household, and so they simply welcomed me in, however, I imply, clearly, being away from my household for the primary time and my sisters for the primary time was undoubtedly tough.
NBADraft.internet: What sort of stuff do you love to do off the courtroom? What do you get pleasure from in your free time?
AJ Dybantsa: Nothing. I simply hoop. I don’t do anything. I don’t play video video games.
NBADraft.internet: Everybody’s gotten to know your sport, however are there gamers that you just type of mannequin your sport after?
AJ Dybantsa: Yeah. I watch a number of Jordan, a number of Tatum, a number of Ingram, Brandon Miller, Kawhi, a number of these kind of gamers, and Lengthy wings.
NBADraft.internet: Anybody ever deliver up McGrady?
AJ Dybantsa: No, nobody introduced him up.
NBADraft.internet: I see a little bit McGrady in your sport.
NBADraft.internet: How a lot of your basketball skill is tough work, and the way a lot is simply innate, born with it?
AJ Dybantsa: I believe, if I’m being utterly trustworthy, I used to be born with some expertise, so I’d say like 30% expertise, 70% arduous work.
NBADraft.internet: At this level, what are you attempting to show upon what a part of your sport?
AJ Dybantsa: Simply getting stronger, clearly having the ability to take the bump, flattening the shot. Clearly, I’m extending this line. It’s means farther, so simply flattening this shot and being a playmaker.
NBADraft.internet: Your shot’s, I imply, a ravishing shot on your age and every thing.
AJ Dybantsa: My mechanics are there, simply getting reps up now.
NBADraft.internet: What’s your view on social media. It’s clearly a advertising and marketing device however do you strive to not concentrate on it an excessive amount of?
AJ Dybantsa: Yeah. I imply, I’m on it, but when there’s any hate or slander, I don’t take note of it, however I’m on it.
NBADraft.internet: Yeah. Yeah, that’s essential. And let’s see, How essential is it to win the Hoop Summit this yr?
AJ Dybantsa: Essential. I imply, I performed for USA earlier than. I’m accustomed to their sport, however clearly if I’m on the other staff, I need to win. I imply, having the ability to win and characterize my two nations, my two nations, it could be huge.
NBADraft.internet: Who do you contemplate one of the best participant in highschool aside from your self?
AJ Dybantsa: A number of gamers. I like Coop. I like Ace. I like Dylan. There’s a number of gamers.
NBADraft.internet: Are you one of the best in highschool?
AJ Dybantsa: I imply, for my part, I’m one of the best participant.
NBADraft.internet: Is being the primary choose essential to you?
AJ Dybantsa: No.
NBADraft.internet: No?
AJ Dybantsa: No.
NBADraft.internet: Who’s going to win the NBA title this yr?
AJ Dybantsa: Celtics.
NBADraft.internet: Celtics. Are you a Celtic fan?
AJ Dybantsa: Yeah, I’m from Boston.
NBADraft.internet: Respect it. Good to Meet you, man.
AJ Dybantsa: Thanks.
