Jackson has been writing about sports for the Deseret News since 2023.
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Big 12 tournament, meet AJ Dybantsa.
BYU’s freshman phenom was electric in Tuesday’s first round tournament action, scoring 40 points in a blowout win over Kansas State to capture the attention of the basketball world.
There was no shortage of buzz for Dybantsa’s historic outing. Here are some of the most notable reactions from social media.
AJ Dybantsa in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament:🏀 First player ever with 35 PTS & 5 AST in the tournament🏀 Second-most PTS in tournament history🏀 Most career 35-point games in Big 12 history pic.twitter.com/92rnESWGns— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) March 11, 2026
AJ Dybantsa in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament:
🏀 First player ever with 35 PTS & 5 AST in the tournament🏀 Second-most PTS in tournament history🏀 Most career 35-point games in Big 12 history pic.twitter.com/92rnESWGns
I've covered the Big Eight/Big 12 tournament since the 1980s. AJ Dybantsa (40 points tonight vs. K-State) is one of the best players this tournament has seen. It is his first and last appearance this week. BYU plays West Virginia tomorrow at 6 CT.— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) March 11, 2026
AJ Dybantsa vs Kansas St. BIG 12 First RD..40 PTS (15-21 FG, 2-6 3PT, 8-9 FTs)9 REBS6 AST3 STLSBro looked really good and aggressive tonight… pic.twitter.com/H9ZTttWLPd— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) March 11, 2026
AJ Dybantsa vs Kansas St. BIG 12 First RD..
40 PTS (15-21 FG, 2-6 3PT, 8-9 FTs)9 REBS6 AST3 STLS
Bro looked really good and aggressive tonight… pic.twitter.com/H9ZTttWLPd
Biggest figures in Kansas City right now:1. AJ Dybantsa (40, nine rebounds, and six rebounds tonight against Kansas State)2. Patrick Mahomes3. Brent Stover https://t.co/NksNKwz6qj— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 11, 2026
Biggest figures in Kansas City right now:
1. AJ Dybantsa (40, nine rebounds, and six rebounds tonight against Kansas State)2. Patrick Mahomes3. Brent Stover https://t.co/NksNKwz6qj
The only thing that stopped AJ Dybantsa tonight was his Red Bull. He was made to remove it during the postgame press conference because it wasn’t a sponsor. pic.twitter.com/a9PKmFJBXh— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) March 11, 2026
