The Washington Wizards selected Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars standout Anicet "AJ" Dybantsa Jr. as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft. The announcement was made on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 (Philippine time), at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Dybantsa's Dominant College Season
In his lone season with the Cougars, the 19-year-old Dybantsa led all NCAA Division I players in scoring with an average of 25.5 points per game. He also recorded two games with 40 or more points during his brief college basketball tenure. "Making the NBA has been a dream of mine since I was a young kid so I can't wait to get to work and start the journey," Dybantsa said, as quoted on NBA.com.
High School and College Career
Dybantsa, born in Boston, Massachusetts, was the No. 1-ranked high school player in the nation. He attended Saint Sebastian's School in Needham, Massachusetts, for his freshman year, Prolific Prep in Napa, California, for his sophomore year, and Utah Prep Academy in Hurricane, Utah, for his junior and senior years. Despite interest from numerous colleges, he chose BYU. Dybantsa is the first BYU player ever selected No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft.
Historic Pick for the Wizards
Dybantsa is the Wizards' first No. 1 overall pick since 2010, when they selected John Wall, a five-time All-Star who retired in 2025 due to a series of injuries. Early expectations are high for a partnership between Dybantsa and Wizards leaders Trae Young and Anthony Davis starting in the 2026-27 season. "I feel like I could play with Trae (Young) in the backcourt really well. He's a great facilitator and great point guard and we could play off each other for sure," Dybantsa said.
Wizards' Recent Struggles and Future Outlook
The Wizards finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 17-65 record. However, with the addition of Dybantsa, the team hopes to turn around its fortunes in the upcoming season.
