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As expected, the Washington Wizards have begun the 2026 NBA Draft by selecting BYU’s AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick.
In a draft class loaded with “cant-miss prospects,” Dybantsa stood out above the rest, as the 6-foot-9, 217-pound forward put on a show with the Cougars in his one and only collegiate season.
Dybantsa averaged 25.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 51% from the field for BYU. He became the fifth Division-1 player in the last 40 seasons to average at least 25 points while shooting 50% from the field in a single season.
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NBA Draft Prospect, AJ Dybansta poses for a portrait during the content circuit as part of the 2026 NBA Draft on June 22, 2026 at the Lotte Palace Hotel in New York City, New York York. (Steve Freeman/NBAE)
The other top prospects in the draft, including Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and Duke’s Cam Boozer, were in contention for the top pick. But considering the Wizards had already locked up Trae Young on a massive extension prior to the draft, it was clear Washington was looking to go with a dynamic forward that could enhance their playoff hopes right away.
Dybantsa fits the bill, especially when it comes to his shot creation. His short BYU career proved that he can create no matter where he is on the floor, using his 7-foot wingspan to his advantage, whether it be rising over his defender or slicing through the lane.
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Dybantsa has also shown a flair for the big moment, most notably in the first round of the NCAA Tournament when he drilled a deep three-pointer to force overtime. Unfortunately, the Cougars were eliminated in their opening game, leaving fans to wonder what might have been after Dybantsa’s brief March Madness showcase.
AJ Dybantsa declares for the NBA Draft during an event at the Davis K-8 School in Brockton, Mass., on April 23, 2026. (Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe/Getty Images)
But there is no question the Boston, Mass. native is ready for the biggest stage in basketball, even at 19 years old. He will need to tighten his game and develop more — his ball-handling skills have been something brought up during the pre-Draft process — but the ceiling is very high for Dybantsa as he slots into the Wizards’ roster.
That roster not only has Young locked up, but they also traded for Anthony Davis last season, and he figures to be a key piece of this rebuilding puzzle, granted he remains healthy. Alex Sarr, who the Wizards took second overall out of France in 2024, will look to take steps forward, while veterans like D’Angelo Russell will also play a role.
BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) dribbles the ball against Clemson during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
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The Wizards have not won more than 18 games in each of the past three seasons, and they’re desperate to return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2020-21 campaign.
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