BYU fans are flocking to see AJ Dybantsa play. Here’s a glimpse of what the future holds for BYU.

Lehi • The throng of BYU fans was three rows deep by the time AJ Dybantsa stepped out of the locker room.

At a weekend high school basketball showcase in Utah County, the man who now carries the future of the program on his shoulders got a taste of what life will be like for the next year. The tight hallway was a swarm of people in blue wanting autographs, selfies and hoping to thank the No. 1 prospect for coming to Provo.

“I love the support,” Dybantsa said.

All this was happening as the current BYU team was beating Wyoming in a game 50 minutes north in Salt Lake City. These fans flocked south instead because nothing feels more promising than what the Cougars might accomplish next season with a star who is already talking about a trip to the Final Four and a national championship.

“Take some pictures,” Ace Dybantsa suggested to his son as the crowd at Lehi High School grew.

There wasn’t much of a choice. The entire walkway was blocked off by supporters.

It’s safe to say the excitement will be there when Dybantsa arrives on the Cougars' campus next year. Dybantsa is the first No. 1-ranked recruit (and a projected No. 1 NBA draft pick too) to ever play in Provo — choosing the Cougars over Kansas, North Carolina and Alabama.

But what will 2025 actually look like on the court in Provo? That is still being worked out.

BYU’s roster is in flux for next year. Some key players, like star shooting guard Kanon Catchings, will have a choice to enter the NBA draft and stick around to play with Dybantsa. There’s also the potential to add more top prospects who are intrigued by playing with the best player in the country.

“He would be the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft,” ESPN basketball analyst Paul Biancardi said, saying he’d pick Dybantsa over Duke’s Cooper Flagg if he were eligible.

But the good news for the Cougars is that Dybantsa’s game is fairly malleable to those around him. He’s versatile enough on offense to play with anybody. Head coach Kevin Young compared him, in some ways, to LeBron James.

“His game has evolved into a big wing, big guard,” Biancardi said. “He has true versatility. And on the offensive end, his versatility lies in the ability to rebound and then push it himself and be a playmaker or a finisher. That’s one huge piece of versatility.”

Dybantsa agreed.

“I’m unselfish,” he said. “I can play with anybody in the country. I feel like my game meshes with anybody. So if they come, we are winning the natty together. If I’m on my solo ride, I’m on my solo ride.”

What makes Dybantsa intriguing is his ability to score in so many different ways. He finishes around the rim. His pull-up jumper is strong. His 3-point percentage is coming along — although it can be improved. It has people comparing him to Tracy McGrady and Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

“You hear the term three-level scorer? Well, he actually scores from four different levels,” Biancardi said. “You count the paint and rim all in one, mid-range, threes, and he gets a good deal of points from the free-throw line. So that’s his fourth spot.”

“You’ve got a piece at 6-9 that can post up, can drive you in isolation, come off screens, play pick-and-roll. There’s various levels to his game,” he continued.

Biancardi covered McGrady in high school and the analyst sees similarities between the NBA legend and the Cougars' young star.

“I compared him to Tracy McGrady and LeBron, which I watched both of those guys in high school,” he said. “There’s a lot to love about AJ.”

Dybantsa will likely share the floor with point guard Dallin Hall and wing Richie Saunders next year. Center Keba Keita will also probably be in the mix. Biancardi thinks that combination will work with floor spacing and the pick-and-roll game.

“They’re going to have a nice foundation around him,” he said. “They’re going to have shooters like Richie Saunders, who is 39.5%. You get the point guard as Dallin Hall.

“You got Keita inside, who’s going to screen for AJ on the pick-and-roll. AJ is going to throw him lobs. He’s also going to set off-ball screens for AJ. So that’s the guy who’s going to free AJ up,” he said.

But regardless of who BYU rolls out other than Keita, Biancardi thinks it will work.

“He creates gravity, meaning everybody pulls towards him,” he said. “People will have opportunities that they might not have had.”

For now, though, Dybantsa is back to work at Utah Prep. He will be in Hawaii next week for a holiday tournament and then onto more high-profile games. But he will keep one eye on what happens with the Cougars this year.

“I think they can go far,” he said.

Cougar faithful will be keeping an eye on him, too.

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