AJ Dybantsa Partners with Bob & Rita Marley Foundation to Uplift Youth Basketball in Jamaica

 AJ Dybantsa, the top-ranked high school basketball player in the U.S. and a projected No.1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, is teaming up with the Bob & Rita Marley Foundation to give back to Jamaica’s grassroots basketball community during a visit to the island from May 8–12.

Dybantsa, whose mother hails from Hanover, Jamaica, will be accompanied by his parents, Anicent and Chelsea Dybantsa, on the trip, which centres around charitable outreach and youth engagement. The collaboration aims to empower local basketball programs and inspire Jamaica’s next generation of athletes through school visits and equipment donations.

“I was taught by my parents to give back and what better way to do that than the place where my mother was born,” said Dybantsa. “I just hope to inspire the next generation of young ball players.”

The initiative is a joint effort between the Bob & Rita Marley Foundation and the Jamaica Basketball Association (JABA), which has been instrumental in coordinating the visit. With a shared mission of growing youth and grassroots basketball, the partnership is set to create lasting impact by promoting early access and structured development for aspiring players.

“Dada always believed in giving youth a voice and a vision,” said Cedella Marley, CEO of the Bob Marley Group of Companies. “AJ embodies that same spirit—he’s a young man with talent, heart, and purpose. We’re excited to welcome him to Jamaica and support this mission to uplift our youth through sport.”

Dybantsa, who is headed to Brigham Young University (BYU) this fall, is already being lauded not just for his athletic prowess, but for his growing legacy of community service—one that now includes a meaningful homecoming to the land of his roots.

Photos: Jamaica Basketball Association