Dybantsa named to Big 12 Starting Five for fourth time

The freshman averaged 29.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game in wins over Pacific and Abilene Christian.

Author Tyson Jex
Dybantsa named to Big 12 Starting Five for fourth timeDybantsa named to Big 12 Starting Five for fourth time
Nate Edwards

IRVING, Texas – BYU’s AJ Dybantsa was named to the Big 12 Starting Five for a fourth time this season on Monday afternoon.

The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 29.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game while shooting 65.4 percent from the field and 82.1 percent from the free-throw line.

Dybantsa’s 35 points in BYU’s win over Abilene Christian on Friday was the second-most by a freshman in program history and first by a Big 12 freshman since Cade Cunninham had 40 on February 27, 2021, in an overtime victory over Oklahoma.

He went 17-of-20 from the free throw line, the most makes and attempts at the charity line by a freshman in program history. His 17 makes are also the third-most in a single game and makes him one of five players in program history to attempt 20 free throws.

Earlier in the week, the native of Brockton, Mass. recoded the first double-double of his career with 23 points and 10 rebounds in a win over former WCC foe Pacific. He went 8-of-14 from the field and 6-of-8 from the charity stripe as BYU won its seventh straight home game over the Tigers.

He was also named the NCAA March Madness Freshman of the Week after becoming just the third NCAA Division I player to start their careers with at least 15 points and four rebounds through 12 games.

The Cougars concluded non-conference play on Monday, Dec. 22, when they host Eastern Washington at the Marriott Center. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT.