Why A.J. Dybantsa Chose BYU, and What His Rise Reveals About College Sports

On today’s KSL News Daily, Maria Shilaos, a veteran news anchor for KSL NewsRadio, goes beyond the NBA Draft buzz to tell the story behind A.J. Dybantsa, the basketball phenom who made BYU one of the most talked-about programs in the country.

Maria talks with Matthew Bowman and Wayne LeCheminant, authors of Game Changers: AJ Dybantsa, BYU, and the Struggle for the Soul of Basketball, about how Dybantsa ended up in Provo, the role his family played in keeping him focused, and why his rise says so much about the new world of college basketball, where prep schools, NBA pipelines, and major money are changing the game.

Plus, fireworks go on sale in Utah as some communities push for tighter restrictions, two families celebrate a fresh start at The Other Side Village, and Before You Go heads to Little Cottonwood Canyon, where a recent Highland High graduate is training on one of the toughest bouldering climbs in the world.

Join us on the KSL News Daily, where we delve deep into the stories that shape Utah. Every weekday, our dedicated host Maria Shilaos brings you an in-depth analysis of a pressing story in the news alongside a quick update on the three things you need to know to start your day. With the expertise and hard work of the journalists at KSL News, you can expect coverage in context and a nuanced understanding of the Beehive state’s unique landscape. Tune in to stay informed, engaged, and connected to the heart of Utah's news.