A.J. Dybantsa led all scorers at the famous Nike Peach Jam earlier this month despite being only 16 years old.

The 6-foot-8 Class of 2026 forward from Brockton, Mass., was being discussed as potentially the “Best High School Player Regardless of Class” at the grassroots event in North Augusta, S.C., along with two other high school stars, Cooper Flagg and Cam Boozer, one of the twin sons of former Duke and NBA standout Carlos Boozer. While Flagg and Boozer dominated the 16U division, Dybantsa stepped up in the 17U level.

His Peach Jam performance came after ESPN named him the No. 1 freshman in the country, he was named Gatorade Player of the Year at his former school, St. Sebastian’s (Mass. ), in March, and he won a gold medal with Team USA U16 in Mexico in June.

Despite these honors, Dybantsa was dissatisfied because his Expressions Elite team ended 1-4 at Peach Jam and did not advance to the quarterfinals.

“I could’ve done better,” Dybantsa, who has transferred to Prolific Prep in Napa Valley, Calif., said over the phone from Los Angeles on Tuesday. “We went 1-4, so the rest doesn’t really matter.” We were struggling to win games.”

Nonetheless, Dybantsa pleased the swarm of NBA scouts and college coaches in attendance, in part because he was more calm than a year earlier when he was just out of eighth school.

“Last year, I was pretty nervous,” he told me. “I was in eighth grade my first year.” But now I just play my game and don’t mind making mistakes.”

A.J. attended the Jayson Tatum Camp in St. Louis last week, which was staffed by Tatum, Chris Paul, Bradley Beal, Paolo Banchero, Cam Whitmore, and Jett Howard.

Tatum gave Dybantsa, a big Boston Celtics fan, some advice at the camp.

“He just told me to keep my head level, don’t get too high, don’t get too low and just continue to work,” said A.J. “He just told me to be more simple, just get to my spots and don’t over-dribble.”

He went on to say: “I met him before so I wasn’t star struck but definitely coming from him, he was first-team All-NBA so it’s good getting advice from someone like that.”

On the floor, A.J.’s squad defeated Tatum’s team, which comprised Beal, Banchero, Whitmore, and Howard, as well as fellow high school players Flagg, Tyran Stokes, Derrion Reed, Cam Scott, and V.J. Edgecombe.

“We beat them twice,” stated A.J.

“A.J. is unreal,” claimed one NBA scout during the camp.

A.J. and his father Ace, a Boston University Police officer from the Republic of Congo, relocated to Los Angeles after the Tatum camp, where they consulted with several agents regarding his future while working out with everyone from Kevin Durant to LeBron James.

“We’re just enjoying L.A. and having some workouts with some of these pros,” Ace said in a phone interview.

A.J. worked out with Jordan Poole and Durant on Tuesday, referring to Durant as his “favorite player.”

What is K.D’s message?

“Stay focused, make the game easier than it is,” A.J. said of Durant’s instruction, adding, “We’re taller than everybody, so don’t need all that extra dribbling, just one or two dribbles and get to your spot.”

Dybantsa worked out with LeBron outside of Los Angeles on Thursday, three days after Bronny James, LeBron’s eldest son, fainted at a USC practice due to cardiac arrest.

“It was good, just a regular workout,” he told me. “There’s nothing else to it than working out with LeBron.” Just the work he does demonstrates how much work is required and what it takes to execute it. I mean, I’m not new to working, so it wasn’t something out of the ordinary.”

“He was just giving me tips on moves, like get lower, get a better base so I don’t get knocked off balance,” he explained. That sort of thing.”‌

When Dybantsa was asked what it meant that James showed up after what happened to Bronny, he answered, “he cares.”

“He’s a man of his word,” he continued. He stated that he intended to exercise. He didn’t know what was going to happen to his son, but he still showed up and worked out even though it took him an extra day.”

Later that day, a cardiologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles announced that Bronny “has been discharged home, where he is resting.” LeBron James, his father, claimed on social media that his family was “together, safe, and healthy.”

Dybantsa will attend the Steph Curry SC30 Camp on August 3-4.

“I hope I can get advice from him,” he went on to say. “He’s the best shooter of all time so it would be good learning from him.”

A.J. will most certainly be able to attend any institution he chooses, although he now has ten scholarship offers from Boston institution, UConn, Michigan, Georgia Tech, Washington, Georgetown, Providence, Texas, Alabama, and Ole Miss.

“I’m open to anybody,” he declared.

Both UConn and Providence are close to his home in Brockton. UConn coach Dan Hurley and his staff attended Peach Jam to observe Dybantsa (and Flagg).

“Obviously, they just won the national championship but just because they won that doesn’t mean I’m automatically going to their school,” Dybantsa said in a statement.

“Oh yeah, definitely,” he answered when asked if the Huskies might attract five-star talent now that they’ve won an NCAA title. They have a good history as well, and they are unquestionably a superb school. They can entice everybody, but not every school will be a good fit for everyone.”

He also went to a few Providence games last season under former coach Ed Cooley, who has since left for Georgetown and been replaced by Kim English.

“I haven’t seen him coach so I don’t want to say anything that’s negative or not true,” the coach stated. “I’ve been to a couple games last year.”

Dybantsa has transferred to national powerhouse Prolific Prep in Napa Valley, California, where he will play with Stokes.

“We weren’t playing a national schedule [at St. Sebastian’s],” Dybantsa stated in an interview. “I wanted to play a national schedule and showcase my talent.”

Ace stated that Prolific Prep coach Ryan Bernardi, a Milton, Massachusetts native, “convinced me” to send his son to the Napa Valley, California school.

“He attempted to recruit A.J. for the last year and a half, and I kept saying, “No, no, no,” Ace smiled. “‘I suppose no means yes to a coach.” He finally persuaded me. We went to pay a visit.”

Ace is determined to keep his son focused on two things despite all the attention and distractions.

“I have him focused on books and basketball, and I told him to let daddy handle everything else,” Ace explained, noting that his son is on the Honor Roll.

“He can’t play ball if he doesn’t have Honor Roll.”