At 6-foot-9 and 217 pounds, Dybantsa has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant, who happens to be his favorite player. Durant grew up in the Washington area, and Wizards fans can only hope Dybantsa can live up to the comparisons.
NBA Draft 2026, First Round: Dybantsa Snapped Up By Washington Wizards As No 1 Pick
AJ Dybantsa is on his way to Washington and ready to start working as soon as he gets there. That’s not until Wednesday. Tuesday was a night for the NBA’s No. 1 draft pick to party. “Obviously this night is just a celebration of all the hard work I’ve done in the past, and so now I’m going to celebrate,” Dybantsa said. So were a record number of one-and-done college stars who followed him, a trio of national champions from Michigan and fans of both New York teams on what sounded like an even more festive NBA draft than usual. The Wizards started it by selecting Dybantsa, a forward who led the nation in scoring in his one season at BYU. He averaged 25.5 points, highlighted by a 43-point effort that broke BYU’s freshman scoring record, and was the first of a record-tying eight straight college freshman taken to begin the draft.
AJ Dybantsa is interviewed after being chosen by the Washington Wizards as the first pick in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
AJ Dybantsa arrives for the first round of the NBA basketball draft in New York. | Photo: AP/Adam Hunger
Darryn Peterson, right, poses for a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, after being chosen by the Utah Jazz in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
Cameron Boozer, right, poses for a photo with Adam Silver, left, NBA Commissioner, after being selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
Keaton Wagler is interviewed after being selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
Morez Johnson Jr. reacts after being selected by the Dallas Mavericks as the ninth overall pick in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
Darius Acuff Jr., right, poses for a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, after being selected by the Sacramento Kings with the seventh pick in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
Kingston Flemings tips his cap after being selected by the Atlanta Hawks as the eighth pick in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
Mikel Brown Jr. gestures after being selected by the Brooklyn Nets with the No. 6 overall pick in the NBA Draftin the first round of the NBA basketball draft, in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
Caleb Wilson, right, poses for a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, after being selected by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
Cameron Boozer, right, poses for a photo with Adam Silver, left, NBA Commissioner, after being selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
Brayden Burries is interviewed after being selected by the Milwaukee Bucks as the tenth overall pick in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
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