Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Forgets AJ Dybantsa’s Name While Praising NIL for Aiding BYU

AJ Dybantsa, widely considered the top high school basketball prospect in the class of 2025, is drawing national attention as he prepares for an anticipated standout freshman year at BYU and eyes a likely spot in the 2026 NBA Draft.

His rise highlights how Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals are reshaping college sports, giving elite players more options than ever before.

Yet, even as Dybantsa’s profile soars, not everyone in the basketball world is up to speed – as evidenced by a recent podcast slip-up from veteran NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

AJ Dybantsa’s Name Slips from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s Memory

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, now with the Memphis Grizzlies, joined the latest episode of The Dawg Talk Podcast to discuss the impact of NIL contracts on college basketball.

He emphasized how NIL has broadened opportunities for top recruits, making it possible for standout players to choose programs outside traditional powerhouses.

During the conversation, Caldwell-Pope tried to reference Dybantsa’s high-profile commitment to BYU, but stumbled over the player’s name:

“Now you got more players to like…just it ain’t all on one team. That’s one of the reasons I like the NIL. You can put some in these top ranks, you know, back down all American kids, and put them in a school like…I forget the number one kid…he went, he is going to…what college is he going…?”

With help from the hosts, Caldwell-Pope eventually recalled Dybantsa’s name and used the moment to reflect on his own college choice.

He pointed out how the landscape has evolved, noting that top prospects now have more freedom to pick schools where they can make an immediate impact rather than joining already stacked rosters.

“Kentucky used to have the whole McDonald’s All American class. My year, I went to Georgia. They had six PAC All American going to their school. Six of them. And I was going to go, but I was like: ‘Oh no, I ain’t going to even get no playing time. I want to see playing time…’”

Caldwell-Pope’s experience offers a useful comparison for today’s recruits. He played two seasons at the University of Georgia, where he earned SEC Player of the Year honors before the Detroit Pistons selected him eighth overall in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Over his NBA career, Caldwell-Pope has won championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and the Denver Nuggets in 2023, solidifying his reputation as a reliable veteran.

Meanwhile, Dybantsa is making headlines of his own. He is expected to play just one season at BYU before entering the NBA Draft, where he is projected as a lottery pick.

His recent performance with Team USA at the FIBA U19 World Cup has only boosted his profile. Through the tournament, Dybantsa is averaging 16.7 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, while shooting an impressive 75% from two-point range.

These numbers demonstrate his readiness for the next level, and his success on the international stage is a strong indicator of his potential impact in college and beyond.

Dybantsa’s journey reflects a changing landscape in college basketball, where NIL deals and increased player mobility are giving top prospects more control over their futures. As Caldwell-Pope’s podcast moment shows, even established NBA stars are still getting used to the new era of recruiting and player movement.