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The BYU basketball team lost on the road at Oklahoma State on Wednesday night in Big 12 action. AJ Dybantsa demonstrated incredible sportsmanship in defeat.
Cowboys‘ head coach Steve Lutz applauded the five-star talent for his actions. He was impressed by the future NBA hooper both on and off the court.
“What he did in the handshake line speaks volume about the young man’s character in my opinion.”
Oklahoma State Head Coach Steve Lutz had high praise for AJ Dybantsa’s character after the game⬇️ pic.twitter.com/yXwNdWLfP4
— Church Ball: A BYU Hoops Pod (@churchballpod) February 5, 2026
Who is AJ Dybantsa?
The freshman forward is one of the nation’s top players. He committed to BYU as a five-star recruit and is widely considered the No. 2 player in his class.
Dybantsa was paid well to attend the university. It’s an investment that’s paid dividends for the Cougars.
Through 22 games, he’s averaged just under 24 points a night to go along with 6.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He’s an all-around talent that can hurt opposing teams in a variety of different ways.
First and foremost, he’s a scorer. That was on full display when BYU travelled to Stillwater this week.
Dybantsa put on a show, racking up 36 points on 13-of-20 shooting. He’s now scored 20 points or more in 15 contests, topping the 30-point threshold in four games.
Dybantsa’s time in Provo will likely be short-lived. An expected one-and-done prospect, he projects to be a Top 3 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
He is making an impact while on campus.
Steve Lutz applauded BYU’s star.
“You know what’s the most impressive thing about (AJ Dybantsa)?” the Oklahoma State coach asked. “We’re going through the handshake line after the game, and one of their players – I don’t think he did it intentionally – but he bypassed me.
“AJ grabbed that kid and he made him shake my hand.”
Dybantsa’s team lost a game it was expected to win. Opposing fans stormed the court after the fact. That celebration highlighted the excitement and hostility that bubbled in Gallagher-Iba Arena, dubbed the “Madison Square Garden of the Plains.”
The postgame scene was chaotic. He could’ve easily let his teammate continue through the handshake line to more quickly exit to the locker room.
He chose to do the opposite in a fantastic display of sportsmanship. In doing so, he earned one league rival’s respect.