Meet AJ Dybantsa's Parents, Dad Anicet Dybantsa Sr. and Mom Chelsea Hudson Dybantsa

Samantha StutsmanTue, June 23, 2026 at 10:00 PM UTC

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AJ Dybantsa with his parents in April 2026.Credit: Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe via Getty -

AJ Dybantsa was born to Anicet "Ace" Dybantsa Sr. and Chelsea Hudson Dybantsa in 2007

The couple also share two daughters: Samarra and Jasmyn

Ace left behind his law enforcement career to manage AJ's basketball career

AJ Dybantsa has an incredible support system behind him — starting with his parents.

Widely regarded as one of basketball's brightest young stars, AJ emerged as the nation's top high school recruit before starring for Brigham Young University (BYU) and positioning himself as a leading contender to be selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, which starts on June 23.

AJ was born to Anicet "Ace" Dybantsa Sr. and Chelsea Hudson Dybantsa on Jan. 29, 2007. He is the middle child, with one older sister, Samarra, and one younger sister, Jasmyn. Ace and Chelsea raised their children in Brockton, Mass.

Ace worked as a campus police officer at Boston University before retiring to serve as AJ's manager in 2024. "He's done a good job of just being there, making a lot of sacrifices, obviously," AJ told Deseret News in June 2026. "I've traveled around the world with him. He's my full-time manager. Most of all, he's super strict and straightforward. He just tells me the truth. Doesn't sugarcoat anything."

Here's everything to know about AJ Dybantsa's parents.

Ace is from the Republic of Congo, and Chelsea is from Jamaica

Chelsea and Ace Dybantsa.Credit: Y's Guys/Youtube

Ace was born in the Republic of the Congo. When he was 13, his father sent him to France to live with his uncle and pursue a better education.

In 1989, Ace moved to Boston, where he received a soccer scholarship at Massasoit Community College.

Chelsea, meanwhile, was born in Jamaica and raised by her grandmother. At 13, she moved to the Boston area, leaving her family behind. The transition was difficult due to homesickness, culture shock and New England's cold winters, but she remained focused on the opportunities that came with a good education. She eventually earned a bachelor's degree in social work from Salem State University.

"My grandmother taught me that [education is] the one thing no one can take away from you," Chelsea told Deseret News in November 2025. "We instill that in our kids. We ensure our kids take school very seriously."

They met in a parking lot

Ace and Chelsea's love story began with a chance encounter in a Boston-area parking lot. On a cold winter night, Chelsea was searching for a parking spot outside her gym when Ace approached her car and asked if she needed help.

The two hit it off and began dating shortly afterward, according to The Washington Post.

Ace and Chelsea welcomed three kids

AJ and Ace Dybantsa in 2025.Credit: David Dow/NBAE via Getty

Ace and Chelsea share three children: daughter Samarra, son AJ and daughter Jasmyn.

Samarra graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston with a degree in psychology in May 2026, per her LinkedIn. Meanwhile, Jasmyn is a standout volleyball player at Lone Peak High School in Utah.

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Ace has credited discipline and accountability as key pillars of his parenting philosophy. "From the day they are born, you have to instill hard work, discipline, accountability and respect," he told Deseret News.

According to Jasmyn, those lessons often came in the form of daily challenges. She recalled that her father required all three children to do 100 pushups every day. "There's a space between our kitchen and living room, and there is a camera pointing right at it, and we had to do 100 pushups. That was our routine — every day," she told the outlet.

Ace even taught Jasmyn and Samarra self-defense techniques. "He always told us to stand our ground and not be weak," Jasmyn added.

Ace and Chelsea also made it a priority to foster a close bond among their children — something they say has paid off. "[AJ] loves to hang out with his sisters. They are his best friends," Ace told Deseret News. "That's what you dream about for your kids. You hope they get along."

Ace is AJ's manager

Ace spent many years working as a campus police officer at Boston University, often putting in long hours to provide for his family.

"I would say Ace is the hardest-working man I have ever met," Chelsea told Deseret News. "He is all about family and making sure he is taking care of his family. He is very dedicated [and] loves the kids."

In 2024, Ace retired from law enforcement to become AJ's full-time manager. "Had to take care of this 6-foot-9 kid of mine," he joked to the outlet. "Someone has got to take care of him. I am his dad. I am his manager. I am his security. I am his disciplinarian. I am everything."

Despite wearing many hats in AJ's life, Ace is quick to point out that he is not his son's friend.

"Some people see it like that. He's not my friend. I'm his dad. Please get that straight," he told the outlet. "I tell him stuff, difficult stuff, that most people don't tell him. Why? Because I'm not his friend, plain and simple."

His parents plan to move with AJ following the NBA Draft

Ace and AJ Dybansta in 2026.Credit: Jim Poorten/NBAE via Getty

No matter where AJ lands after the 2026 NBA Draft, Ace and Chelsea plan to follow their son as he begins his professional career.

"AJ told us two years ago, 'I don't want to live alone when I turn pro,' " Ace told Deseret News. "I said, 'Oh, don't worry, as long as you get us an in-law [apartment], so you can have your privacy, yeah, we will be there.' "

Although AJ entered the NBA Draft after just one season at BYU, Chelsea made it clear that his education could not be left unfinished. She told Deseret News that she initially resisted the idea of her son leaving school early and eventually agreed only after he promised to earn his degree.

"We want him to finish at BYU, and that was kind of a tug-of-war in the house," Chelsea said. "Once AJ promised me that he will get his degree, I was like, 'OK, you can declare. But getting your degree is a must.' "

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”