PHOENIX — In a new episode of NBA x Nike Air Time posted on YouTube, Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant sat down with top high school prospect AJ Dybantsa to talk basketball, college transitions, and what it takes to thrive in one of the country’s toughest conferences — the Big 12.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Hosted by Mr. Talk Spicy and Cha-Ching, the exclusive interview gave fans a glimpse into Durant’s mentorship and Dybantsa’s mindset as the highly touted prospect prepares for the next chapter of his career at BYU.
Durant, who starred at Texas before going No. 2 overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, reflected on his own transition from high school to college ball when asked by Dybantsa about the leap to Big 12 competition.
Dec 28, 2006; Austin, TX, USA: Texas Longhorns guard (35) Kevin Durant reaches for a rebound against the Centenary Gents during the first quarter at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2006 Brendan Maloney
“I wouldn’t say it was hard,” Durant said. “The style of play in college is a little faster than high school. It’s a little more structured… It’s the speed and the intellect of the game that’s different.”
The two also discussed the legacy and expectations that come with playing in the Big 12 — a conference known for producing elite NBA talent.
“There’s a big standard for a high-name freshman coming into the Big 12,” Durant said. “You gotta think about the dudes who came through there — myself, Mike Beasley, Trey Young, Cade Cunningham, Blake Griffin… All these dudes were top picks, players of the year.”
Utah Prep’s AJ Dybantsa, of Brockton, during a game vs. Montverde Academy the HoopHall Classic at Springfield College on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025.
Dybantsa, a 6-foot-8 wing with elite scoring ability, is considered one of the top players in the class of 2025 and has already drawn comparisons to NBA stars.
As the college basketball world gears up for another wave of future pros, Durant’s advice serves as both a challenge and a reassurance for the next generation — reminding rising stars that greatness comes with high standards, but also with a blueprint.
The full interview is available now on the NBA’s YouTube channel.
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Reporter Reyna Stanley covers the Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on X @rey_stanley776.
