BOSTON, Mass.- Top NBA prospect AJ Dybantsa was recognized June 16 at a Campaign for Catholic Schools event at the UMass Club in Boston, where speakers discussed education, discipline, and student development ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft.
The event drew approximately 100 supporters of the Campaign for Catholic Schools (CCS), a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 to support urban Catholic education in Greater Boston, including Boston and Brockton.
Dybantsa, a Brockton native and alumnus of Trinity Catholic Academy, took part in a moderated discussion with his father, Ace Dybantsa. The conversation addressed personal development, education, and support systems contributing to his basketball career.
CCS leadership and guests included Chair Bob Atchinson, Vice Chair Travis Rhodes, and former NBA All-Star Dana Barros, a CCS trustee. Speakers referenced the role of schools, families, and mentors in student outcomes.
Ace Dybantsa described academic expectations and personal responsibility as key elements in his son’s upbringing alongside athletics.
AJ Dybantsa said his confidence is tied to preparation and repetition.
“I don’t lose confidence on the court,” Dybantsa said. “I’ve spent more hours in a gym than anyone would know. At 12 a.m., when no one can see, I’ve been in the gym.”
Barros spoke about his Catholic education in Mattapan and the broader influence of mentors and family support in youth development.
The event included students from Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy in Dorchester and a video presentation on Dybantsa’s basketball career.
