BYU Basketball makes history with Wright, Dybantsa

Kevin Young and BYU Basketball continue to make history going into year two.

After signing five-star freshman Egor Demin last season, Young has now added two more five-star talents to the roster with high school phenom AJ Dybantsa and former Baylor guard Robert Wright III. For a program that has never featured even one five-star recruit in its history, this is a milestone moment.

The closest BYU had to that level of talent was with Danny Ainge in the 1970s, who would have easily been considered a five-star prospect had recruiting rankings existed at the time. With Wright and Dybantsa on board, BYU is stepping into a new era of basketball in Provo.

The signing of Wright, in particular, represents a breakthrough moment for BYU. Wright is widely regarded as one of the top point guards in the country in 2023's recruiting class. His decision to transfer from Baylor to BYU signals a growing belief in Young’s vision for the program.

The former NBA assistant has been aggressive on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal. Those efforts are paying off in ways that BYU fans have never seen before. Young's promise to build a Final Four-caliber team—a feat BYU has never accomplished in 32 NCAA Tournament appearances—doesn’t seem so far-fetched anymore. In fact, it seems on par with the level of expectations going into this upcoming season.

With Wright running the offense and Dybantsa providing elite scoring and athleticism, BYU’s backcourt could be one of the most dynamic in the nation. Combine that with the expected return of Richie Saunders and Dawson Baker, and BYU’s perimeter firepower is set to be among the best in college basketball. However, defense remains a concern.

BYU’s defense ranked only in the 80s nationally. For the Cougars to compete at the top of the Big 12, Young will likely need to add a defense-first player to the mix before the season begins. 

Still, the addition of Wright is monumental. Few point guards in BYU history—if any—have possessed his combination of ball-handling, finishing, and watching how Wright and Dybantsa perform together will be one of the most anticipated storylines of the 2025–26 season.

With Young’s momentum still building, BYU reason to believe this team could make history.