Dybantsa named USBWA Oscar Robertson High-Major Player of the Month

The freshman averaged 27.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game in December.

Author Tyson Jex
Dybantsa named USBWA Oscar Robertson High-Major Player of the MonthDybantsa named USBWA Oscar Robertson High-Major Player of the Month
Nate Edwards

PROVO, Utah – BYU’s AJ Dybantsa was named the USBWA Oscar Robertson High-Major Player of the Month for December on Friday afternoon.

The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 27.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game as the Cougars went a perfect 6-0 in December. He also shot 65.9 percent from the field, 29.4 percent from three and 78.0 percent from the free throw line as BYU outscored opponents by 27.1 points per game.

Following a 22-point performance in BYU’s win over Cal Baptist at the Delta Center, Dybantsa scored 22 of his then-career-high 28 points in the second half in the Cougars' comeback victory over Clemson in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. With the Cougars trailing by 22 points early in the second half, Dybantsa took over as the freshman outscored the Tigers (22-21) while recording five assists and seven rebounds, four of those coming on the offensive glass.

He scored a career-high 35 points against Abilene Christian, the second-most points scored by a freshman in a single game in program history. He went 9-of-12 from the field and 17-of-20 from the free throw line, the most makes and attempts by a freshman in program history.

The Brockton, Mass. native finished the month and non-conference play with BYU's first-ever 30/10/10 triple-double, finishing with 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 109-81 victory over Eastern Washington. He was also 11-of-13 from the field, 2-of-3 from three and 9-of-11 in the win over the Eagles.

The Cougars open Big 12 play on Saturday, Jan. 3, at Kansas State. Tip is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. MT at Bramlage Coliseum.