AJ Dybantsa Formally Joins Washington Wizards as No. 1 Decide in 2026 NBA Draft

The Washington Wizards have formally chosen AJ Dybantsa with the primary total choose within the 2026 NBA Draft, marking a serious step within the franchise’s rebuilding effort and including one among school basketball’s brightest younger stars to their roster.

Dybantsa, a 19-year-old ahead from BYU, entered the draft as some of the extremely regarded prospects lately.

AJ Dybantsa Breaks Multiple Freshman Records

The 6-foot-9 wing loved a record-breaking freshman season and rapidly established himself as one of many prime gamers within the nation.

During his lone season with the Cougars, Dybantsa averaged 25.5 factors, 6.8 rebounds, and three.7 assists per recreation whereas taking pictures 51% from the sphere, USA Today reported.

He began all 35 video games and scored in double figures each time he stepped on the court docket. He additionally recorded 28 video games with not less than 20 factors and eight video games with 30 or extra factors. His 894 complete factors rank because the third-most by a freshman in NCAA Division I males’s basketball historical past.

Dybantsa additionally set a BYU freshman scoring report by dropping 43 factors in a single recreation and broke 19 freshman season and single-game information throughout his standout marketing campaign.

AJ Dybantsa Gives Wizards a Fresh Start

According to People, the Massachusetts native made historical past as the primary Division I freshman to common not less than 25 factors, six rebounds, and three assists in a season. He additionally grew to become simply the third freshman to guide the nation in scoring.

Although BYU entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 6 seed, the workforce was eradicated within the first spherical by Texas.

Dybantsa practically carried the Cougars to a comeback after they fell behind by 17 factors, however BYU finally misplaced by eight.

His choice can be a historic second for BYU. Dybantsa grew to become the primary participant from this system to be chosen No. 1 total within the NBA Draft.

Previously, Shawn Bradley held the college’s highest draft place after being chosen second total in 1993.

For Washington, touchdown Dybantsa brings hope after a tough 2025-26 season that ended with a 17-65 report. The Wizards have missed the playoffs for 5 straight years and haven’t gained a postseason sequence since 2017.