AJ Dybantsa Lands Massive Fanatics NIL Deal, Elevates BYU Basketball Buzz

AJ Dybantsa Lands Massive Fanatics NIL Deal, Elevates BYU Basketball Buzz originally appeared on Athlon Sports.Before AJ Dybantsa has even stepped onto the court in a BYU uniform, hes already rewriting the playbook for college basketball stardom.

The No.

1 recruit in the 2025 class has signed a multi-year, exclusive NIL deal with Fanatics and Fanatics Collectibles, marking one of the most significant name, image, and likeness contracts in NCAA history.And heres the kicker: the deal is worth eight figures, according to Sportico, and stretches beyond Dybantsas college career.

For BYU fans, this isnt just about a signing, its a seismic moment in Cougar basketball history.A Headliner Before TipoffDybantsas partnership with Fanatics is built around autographed trading cards, game-worn memorabilia, and branded campaigns that will place him alongside modern icons like Caitlin Clark, Cooper Flagg, and JuJu Watkins, all of whom have also signed with Fanatics.

His cards will be featured in the Bowman University lineup, including the Bowman U NOW series that celebrates defining collegiate sports moments.Fanatics made the announcement in dramatic fashion, releasing a cinematic hype video shot in the Wasatch Mountains, symbolizing Dybantsas rise and Provos new place in the national basketball spotlight.When I see my face on a card, its going to be a surreal feeling.

I know where I belong, Dybantsa said in the video.A Gold Medal PedigreeFresh off leading Team USA to gold at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland, and earning tournament MVP honors with 14 points per game, Dybantsa is already showing why hes projected to be the No.

1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

At 6-foot-9, he combines length, skill, and marketability in a way BYU has never seen before.AJ Dybantsa representing Team USA at the FIBA U19 World CupFIBA BasketballFrom Brockton to BYU to the Big TimeDybantsa chose BYU over heavyweights like Alabama and North Carolina, a decision that shocked the recruiting world and electrified Cougar Nation.

Hes the first BYU signee to make the McDonalds All-American Game, and his reported $4+ million NIL valuation, which includes other endorsements with Nike and Red Bull, positions him as one of college basketballs top earners.This deal with Fanatics isnt just a personal win, its a moment of validation for The Royal Blue collective, BYUs NIL arm, and signals to future recruits that Provo is now a destination for elite talent and elite branding.Whats Next for BYU Basketball?Dybantsa and the Cougars open the 2025-26 season against Villanova in Las Vegas on Nov.

3, a marquee matchup that could mark the start of a historic year for BYU hoops.As one of the most marketable college athletes in the nation, Dybantsa is bringing the spotlight to BYU like never before.

Now, the nation is watching, and Cougar fans have every reason to believe that the best is yet to come.Related: Kalani Sitake Sends Clear Message to Jake Retzlaff Amid Controversial Exit at BYUThis story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared..

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