WATCH: BYU’s AJ Dybantsa Displays Vicious Vertical

Remember that time in Jr High when you were alone in a gym and decided to see how high you could jump in comparison to the basketball hoop?

No girls to impress, no guys to flex on, just you, the hoop and a raw desire to test your athleticism.

You gave yourself a running start, at least a step or two before springing upwards at a rapid pace.

The momentum of the launch rockets you upwards as you seemingly soar towards the rim.

When the leap seems to be at it’s peak you swing that arm outward grasping to feel the cold steel of the rim.

All that, just to scrape the bottom of the net.

Yet, the next day at lunch you tell your friends you touched the rim cementing yourself as one of the coolest dudes in the school.

No? Just me? Ok.

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Whether you’ve thrown down a thunderous dunk, pinned a shot of the backboard or just barely felt nylon, basketball athleticism has always largely been measured in play around the rim.

Sure you can defend on the perimeter or go baseline to baseline in record speed but nothing helps paint a visual of how truly “athletic” a hooper is like their play above the rim.

In my high school of 75 people, the kid who could dunk was the most athletic in town, and although it varies from town to town and school to school, the most athletic ball players have always been the ones with the bunnies.

Football can be measured in the weight room, hockey can be measured by skate speed all among other things, but getting up is a big indicator of a basketball elite athlete.

So to see what BYU put out today is nothing short of impressive as they showcased incoming Freshman AJ Dybantsa, absolutely sky rocketing above the rim.

The man who very well could be the #1 pick in next year’s NBA draft already had BYU fans excited when he committed to the Cougars as the #1 recruit in the nation.

But to see this type of vertical, this type of ascension has to make the royal blue nation all the more excited for what they are about to see in Provo this season.

Dybantsa posted 17.7 points a night alongside snagging 10.2 boards and dishing out 4.1 assists his senior season at Utah Prep and is the first 5-star recruit from the USA for BYU mens hoops.

This comes a year after snagging Egor Demin, their first 5-star recruit of the “internet era” who was drafted by the Brooklyn Nets with the 8^th overall pick this year.

Fans haven’t even seen Dybantsa represent the Cougars in an official collegiate contest yet, but already have expectations at an all time high.

Now with this video that displays pure athleticism and power from the young star in the making, expect the hype train to hit all time highs in speed.