Richie Saunders and AJ Dybantsa will be a powerful duo in the 2025-26 season
Richie Saunders had quite the year. He scored 30 against Arizona State, shot 43.2 percent from three, and kept BYU in games. Saunders was on fire and he led BYU to the Sweet 16 for the first time since Jimmer. Saunders averaged 16.5 points per game and shot 83.5 percent from the free-throw line.
AJ Dybantsa is a good player as well. A 5-star recruit who scored 12 points in the McDonald’s All-American game. A proven scorer, he is a big boost for BYU’s strong attack. He averaged 21.5 points per game and 12.7 rebounds per game in the 2024-25 season. AJ is a proven player that has a versatile attack and a hot hand from three.
Saunders and Dybantsa could be a dangerous double duo with their scoring abilities. Both players average over 15 points per game and can shoot well when they are hot. Both players are capable of putting up great numbers. Dybansta in his senior year with Utah Prep shot 46% from the field and 41% from three. Free throws are a concern with AJ only shooting 69% from the charity stripe.
Both Richie and AJ can make things happen. If they are both on the court at the same time and are red hot, it could spell victory for BYU. The Cougars already have a three-point style engrained in their play and Dybantsa will add to that energy. BYU made the Sweet 16 this last season and it is exciting to think about what is going to happen in the 2025-26 season.
BYU has a lot going its way and the Cougars have big hopes with the signing of AJ Dybantsa, the Cougars have a great future ahead of them. BYU is getting more and more attention, and that will increase when AJ joins the team in the fall of 2025. Add in Richie’s hot hand and this could be a crazy good BYU team next season.
BYU is going to make a splash in the Big 12 next year. The combination of Saunders and Dybantsa will be lethal and BYU will be ready to play it to its full potential. The future is bright for BYU Basketball and it is going to be a thrilling season this fall.
