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Jun 24, 2026 Major3
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Wizards Select BYU's Dybantsa with No. 1 Overall Pick in NBA Draft
The Washington Wizards selected BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft on Tuesday, hoping to turn around a struggling franchise that last won a title in 1978. Dybantsa, who averaged 25.5 points per game as a freshman and has been compared to Kevin Durant, was the first of a record-tying eight consecutive college freshmen selected to open the draft.
Quick Facts
Who
AJ Dybantsa
What
Dybantsa selected No. 1 overall in NBA draft
When
Tuesday night, June 24, 2026
Where
Washington Wizards
- Dybantsa selected No. 1 overall in NBA draft
- Wizards won draft lottery
- Miami Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Wizards extended Trae Young contract
- Eight consecutive college freshmen drafted to start draft
The Washington Wizards selected BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft on Tuesday night, capping a busy week for Southeast Division teams. Dybantsa, a 206-centimeter forward who led the nation in scoring during his freshman season at BYU, averaged 25.5 points per game and scored a career-high 43 points in a game that broke the school's freshman scoring record. His selection represents a potential turning point for a Wizards franchise that last won an NBA title in 1978 and has not won 50 games since 1979.
Dybantsa, whose full name is Anicet Francois Dybantsa Jr., expressed confidence in his selection, stating he had long believed he would be the top pick. "I was super confident. I've been betting on myself for a while," he said. "Since around ninth grade I've been the No. 1, so I really didn't plan on falling in the draft." The 6-foot-9, 217-pound forward has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant, his favorite player, a particularly symbolic choice given Durant's Washington, D.C. roots and the city's long wait for a dominant franchise player.
Washington had won the draft lottery and faced speculation that the Utah Jazz might attempt to trade up from the No. 2 pick to select Dybantsa, but the Wizards retained their selection. Dybantsa joins a young Wizards core that includes Alex Sarr, drafted second overall in 2024, along with recent first-round picks such as Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, Will Riley, and Cam Whitmore. The team also acquired point guard Trae Young before the 2025-26 season, though the squad posted a disappointing 50-196 record over the previous three seasons during its major reconstruction.
Dybantsa's arrival marked the beginning of a historic freshman-dominated draft class. He was the first of a record-tying eight straight college freshmen taken to start the draft, matching the record set the previous year. Fellow freshman Darryn Peterson of Kansas was selected second overall by Utah, followed by Duke's Cameron Boozer at No. 3 to Memphis and North Carolina's Caleb Wilson at No. 4 to Chicago.
The Wizards' selection came amid significant activity across the Southeast Division. The Miami Heat acquired star Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday in exchange for a massive haul of players and draft picks. The Atlanta Hawks agreed to acquire wing Aaron Wiggins from Oklahoma City and extended guard C.J. McCollum for one year at $21 million. Washington also agreed to a four-year contract extension with Trae Young. The Orlando Magic entered the draft without a first-round pick after trading four first-round selections to Memphis in 2025 for Desmond Bane, but introduced new coach Sean Sweeney on Thursday.
Why This Matters
Dybantsa's selection represents a significant investment in the Wizards' long-term rebuild after decades of mediocrity. His arrival, combined with recent acquisitions like Trae Young and Alex Sarr, signals the franchise's commitment to constructing a competitive roster. For NBA fans, this draft class—dominated by freshmen—marks a notable shift in how elite young talent enters professional basketball, with immediate implications for team development strategies and rookie impact expectations.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 23, 2026
WireMonday: Miami Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee Bucks; Washington agreed to four-year contract extension with Trae Young
Jun 24, 2026
WireTuesday night: Washington Wizards selected AJ Dybantsa with No. 1 overall pick in NBA draft
Jun 26, 2026
WireThursday: Orlando Magic introduced new coach Sean Sweeney