By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-24 01:42:08 | Updated at 2026-06-24 02:35:27
1 hour ago
The Washington Wizards have selected BYU star AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft.
The forward led the nation in scoring during his sole college season, averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists across 35 games for BYU.
The selection - made at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York - makes Dybantsa the first player in BYU history to be taken first overall in the NBA Draft.
'It just means a lot,' Dybantsa told ESPN's Lisa Salters, seated alongside his sisters after being picked, who praised his work ethic. 'I have a lot more work to do.'
He arrives in Washington to join current stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis. The Wizards - who have not won a title since 1978 - will be banking on all three to finally drag the franchise back into relevance in the near future.
The Wizards finished last season with a 17-65 record - their worst in decades - and have not made the playoffs since 2021. But with Young having signed a four-year, $212 million extension just 24 hours before the draft, and Davis committed to the franchise, there is genuine belief in Washington that a playoff push is not far away.
The Washington Wizards selected BYU's AJ Dybantsa as the 2026 NBA Draft first overall pick
The 19-year-old becomes the first BYU player ever to be taken first overall in the NBA Draft
The forward led the nation in scoring during his sole college season, averaging 25.5 points
Young himself said recently: 'Imagine the Wizards as the No.1 team in the East next year. Trust me, I'm probably just entering my prime.'
Dybantsa, who is also a three-time gold medallist with USA Basketball, gives that project a potential superstar to build around for the next decade.
At 6ft 9in with a seven-foot wingspan and a scorer's instinct that scouts have likened to Tracy McGrady, Dybantsa is the kind of talent that can invigorate a franchise.
While Dybantsa was the favourite to go first, he was not without competition. Kansas guard Darryn Peterson was considered by some to be the superior prospect.
Peterson’s camp had expressed confidence in his chances of going number one right up until draft night, with the 247Sports top-ranked high school recruit in the country ultimately having to settle for second pick.
And, holding the second pick, the Utah Jazz opted for Peterson. The 6ft 4in guard averaged 20.2 points at Kansas, though injury and illness limited him to 24 of a possible 35 games during his freshman season.
The Memphis Grizzlies, picking third, took Duke forward Cameron Boozer - son of former NBA star Carlos Boozer. The 6ft 8in freshman averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds at Duke, earning AP National Player of the Year honours.
The Chicago Bulls rounded out the top four by selecting North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson with the fourth pick. The 6ft 8in freshman is one of the most athletic players in this year's Draft class, though his college season was cut short by injury.
Kansas guard Darryn Peterson was considered by some to be the superior prospect to Dybansta but ended up going second overall to the Utah Jazz on Tuesday evening
The Los Angeles Clippers took Georgia Tech guard Keaton Wagler with the fifth pick.
A crafty scorer with a strong feel for the game, Wagler was the overwhelming favourite for the Clippers’ selection throughout the pre-draft process.
The Brooklyn Nets followed by selecting Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. sixth. The 6ft 5in combo guard had surged up draft boards in the weeks leading up to the draft.
The Sacramento Kings then selected one of the most dynamic offensive guards in the class, taking Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. with the seventh pick.
Acuff averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists at Arkansas and was widely regarded as the best pure scoring point guard available.
The Atlanta Hawks then took Houston guard Kingston Flemings eighth - a sharp shooter who impressed at the draft combine with top-notch agility scores.
The Dallas Mavericks rounded out the ninth pick by selecting Michigan centre Morez Johnson Jr. - a surprise selection at this stage, with Johnson having been projected by most analysts to fall into the mid-to-late lottery.
The Milwaukee Bucks rounded off the top ten by taking Arizona guard Brayden Burries - a two-way guard who shot 39 per cent from three at Arizona.
The Golden State Warriors then selected Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg eleventh.
The Dominican Republic international was a key part of Michigan’s run to the national championship this season and brings major versatility to Golden State’s frontcourt.
The Oklahoma City Thunder rounded out the 12th pick by selecting Michigan centre Aday Mara. The 7ft 3in Spaniard is one of the most imposing physical presences in the class and gives OKC another intriguing young big man to develop.
It also proved to be a historic night for national champions Michigan. The Wolverines had never had more than one player selected in the lottery - on Tuesday night they had three, with Morez Johnson Jr., Lendeborg and Mara all going in the top 12.
More to follow...
