St. Seb’s frosh AJ Dybantsa generates buzz
Youngster already among best in the state
The happenings inside St. Sebastian’s gymnasium have become more spectacle than game. One look at AJ Dybantsa and the reason is clear.
A 6-foot-8 freshman wing, Dybantsa has amazed coaches, opponents, and basketball enthusiasts as he has led St. Sebastian’s to a 20-0 start to the season. Dybantsa is already considered one of the top prospects not just in Massachusetts but nationally.
“I cannot think of anyone I’ve coached that compares to him. He does stuff in games and in practice that you cannot replicate,” St. Sebastian’s head coach David Hinman said. “What stands out the most though is he is a completely selfless player.”
Dybantsa hails from Brockton but elected to attend St. Sebastian’s going into his eighth grade year. His development took off during the COVID-19 pandemic as he spent months in quarantine working on his athleticism, strength, and shooting. While school sports were mostly on shutdown, Dybantsa thrived on the AAU circuit with Expressions, where he realized he could play against some of the best in the country.
“I wanted to play with and against better players and St. Seb’s offered that chance,” Dybantsa said. “In order to get to where I wanted to get to, I had to play in the Prep School Showcase and in the NEPSAC to showcase my talents all around.”
As an eighth grader, Dybantsa was a starter for a St. Seb’s team that secured an ISL title and set the school record for wins at 24-3. This time around, however, the now 16-year old is helping the Arrows do one better. The unbeaten string includes a win over previously unbeaten Rivers in which Dybantsa scored 28 points.
Dybantsa’s ball-handling skills make him akin to a guard, while getting to the basket is near effortless. When opposing defenses look to help off, he has improved his three-point shot. Dybantsa is most impressive in transition where he uses his explosiveness to either take off for a dunk or use his talents as a passer to find teammates in the open court.
At the other end of the floor, he has defended point guards and centers, often taking on the opponent’ s best player.
“Offensively, in transition, he is just dynamic,” Hinman said. “Any time we can get the ball in his hands he’s either getting to the hoop or getting it to the right player. When you look at it, his highest point totals are consistently against the best teams.”
The energy surrounding Dybantsa in the gym is contagious. It has rubbed off not just on teammates and coaches, but the entire prep basketball community. Whether at home or on the road, the Arrows have brought a fan frenzy with them. High school, middle school, and elementary kids pack the gyms filled with anticipation of the next throwdown. When hosting an ISL foe, people pour into the Arrows gymnasium filling the one side of bleachers along with the balcony above creating an arena atmosphere.
When it’s all over they’re hoping to grab a snapshot for social media. It amounts to a highly pressure filled environment for a kid just learning to drive.
“He has handled all the surrounding noise extraordinarily well,” Hinman said. “AJ has a wonderful family that keeps him grounded. Everywhere we go everyone wants a picture with him, and he only just turned 16. I can’t believe how much he is asked to do but he handles it
with class and dignity.”
Dybantsa has coaches and evaluators already murmuring about him being the next centerpiece at an elite college
program. Recruiting and prep school platforms in some cases have dubbed him the top prospect in the class of 2026. This season he
is averaging 19 points and seven rebounds per game on 61-percent shooting. He is a nominee for Massachusetts’ Gatorade Player of the
Year and was the Zero Gravity Prep Classic MVP. Perhaps most impressive, Dybantsa is a USA U16 minicamp invitee.
“What got me here, just staying focused and humbled, is going to get me to the next level,” Dybantsa said. “My family provided for me. I cannot give back right now, but when I get older I want to have an opportunity where I can turn around and thank them because they have done so much for me.”
Natick pulls upset
In MIAA girls hoops, Natick secured one of the biggest upset wins of the winter as the previously No. 34 Redhawks knocked off No. 4 Newton North, 38-31. As the season enters its final full week only Andover, Lynn Classical, Medfield, Minuteman, Woburn, and Worcester South stand as unbeaten teams on the girls side.