BYU Signee AJ Dybantsa Scores 35 Points to Kick Off MAIT
SALT LAKE CITY – BYU basketball signee AJ Dybantsa is participating in the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament (MAIT) this weekend.
The three-day event, held in Montverde, Florida, brings together some of the top high school basketball teams in the country in an eight-team tournament format.
One of the participating teams is Dybantsa’s Utah Prep squad.
AJ Dybantsa Scores 35 Points and Collects 15 Rebounds in MAIT Opener
Dybantsa and Utah Prep faced off against Sagemont Prep from Weston, Florida, on Thursday for the opening day of the MAIT.
Utah Prep Triumphs Over Sagemont Prep, 82-79
Utah Prep, guided by Dybantsa, secured an 82-79 win over Sagemont.
Dybantsa, ranked as the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the class of 2025, contributed 35 points on 13-of-21 shooting from the field in 32 minutes. The 6-foot-9 wing made 7-of-8 from beyond the arc and converted 80% of his 10 free throw attempts.
In addition to his scoring, Dybantsa pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds, handed out five assists, and recorded three steals in his 32-minute performance.
Dybantsa’s 15 rebounds were five more than the 20 total rebounds grabbed by the Sagemont team.
The game’s leading scorer was four-star Miami signee Matthew Able, who scored 39 points to keep Sagemont competitive.
Alongside Dybantsa, Utah Prep’s other top scorers included 2026 four-star Anthony Felesi and Washington signee JJ Mandaquit, each contributing 15 points.
BYU signee Xavion Staton played nine minutes off the bench for Utah Prep, grabbing five rebounds and recording a blocked shot.
Utah Prep will return to action tomorrow for the semifinals of the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament, where they will face CIA Bella Vista from Scottsdale, Arizona.
CIA Bella Vista won their Thursday matchup against Riviera Prep, 72-43. Recent Georgia Tech commit Mouhamed Sylla leads the Bears, alongside uncommitted 2025 four-star Jaion Pitt.
