Is AJ Dybantsa LDS? Explaining BYU star's relationship with Mormon church in college

Is AJ Dybantsa LDS? Explaining BYU star's relationship with Mormon church in college originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

AJ Dybantsa broke the mold by committing to BYU. After an era in which Kentucky, Duke and Kansas were among the programs that dominated the top of the recruiting boards, the Cougars sent shockwaves throughout the sport by landing a player many believe was one of the most talented prep prospects of this era. There is reason to believe Dybantsa won't be the last to choose BYU.

The school has positioned itself as a national contender in both football and basketball in this new era of college sports, where resources matter just as much as anything else. At the same time, BYU doesn't plan to abandon its founding mission to serve as the flagship university for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), or the Mormon church. Here's what you need to know about Dybantsa's religious affiliation and whether students have to be Mormon to attend BYU.

MARCH MADNESS HQ: Live NCAA bracket | Full TV schedule | Printable bracket Is AJ Dybantsa LDS? Dybantsa is not Mormon, according to Deseret News , despite attending a university founded to serve as an education system for young LDS members. The BYU star wasn't born or raised in Utah.