With the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Wizards have selected forward AJ Dybantsa from BYU.
Dybantsa was predicted to be the No. 1 selection by a majority of draft experts, but there was some debate over whether Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson would ultimately be the choice.
Now, the day after the Wizards inked Trae Young to a massive four-year, $212 million contract, they bring in a highly touted prospect in a deep class.
In just one season at BYU, Dybantsa averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He’s considered an excellent scorer and can score from all three levels.
Even while only playing one season of college ball, the 19-year-old Dybantsa was considered a leader in the Cougars locker room.
The Wizards brought in Young and Anthony Davis last season to give their young core some veteran leadership in hopes of hastening the team’s rebuild.
In a 2026 class where all of the anticipated top three picks are expected to be difference makers immediately on their NBA teams, Dybantsa was the most popular option to turn around a franchise that won fewer than 20 games the past three seasons.