Wizards Draft BYU’s AJ Dybantsa With No.1 Pick

The Washington Wizards selected BYU’s AJ Dybantsa as the No.1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft. The Wizards opted for Dybantsa over Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson, with both players being touted as the top two picks. “Being the No. 1 pick meant a lot to me. Obviously me being No. 1 throughout all my high school career, I definitely wanted to be a staple to be No. 1 in the NBA draft and be in the same conversation with LeBron James and Cooper Flagg, Allen Iverson and guys like that," said Dybantsa. Dybantsa is the third-ever top pick in Washington’s history after Kwame Brown in 2001 and John Wall in 2010. The 19-year-old joins a Wizards team that hasn't reached the playoffs since 2021 and hasn't advanced past the second round since 1979. Washington finished 17-65 last season, marking the third straight campaign where they’ve suffered at least 64 losses. Dybantsa, who averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals in college, will pair up with All-Stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Davis and Young were acquired by the Wizards in trades earlier this year, with the latter recently signing a four-year, $212 million contract extension with the franchise.