Washington Wizards select BYU’s AJ Dybantsa with top pick in 2026 NBA Draft

Despite the World Cup captivating the nation, all eyes turned to the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday night. Brigham Young University freshman AJ Dybantsa became the school’s first number one overall pick, going to the Washington Wizards. Dybantsa will try to turn around a franchise that has lost a staggering 196 games over the last three seasons.

Dybantsa joins John Wall (2010) and Kwame Brown (2001) as Washington’s only draft picks.

“Being the No. 1 pick meant a lot to me,” Dybantsa told ESPN reporters after getting drafted.

“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, Cooper Flagg, Allen Iverson, and guys like that.”

The Washington Wizards have been one of the worst teams in basketball for several decades. Since the 1999-2000 season, Washington has won just 39.9% of their regular-season games, the worst winning percentage in the NBA. They have only won four playoff series since then and haven’t made it past the second round of the NBA playoffs since 1979, when they were the Washington Bullets.

As expected, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson went to the Utah Jazz, while Duke power forward Cameron Boozer went to the Memphis Grizzlies at #3. UNC power forward Caleb Wilson (Chicago Bulls) and Illinois guard Keaton Wagler (Los Angeles Clippers) rounded out the top five.

Washington Wizards’ projected starting five

Injury issues will, once again, be the main concern in Washington heading into the 2026-27 season.

With AJ Dybantsa selected as the first pick of the NBA Draft, the Wizards will be an interesting watch in the 2026-27 season. Washington traded C.J. McCollum and Corey Kispert for an injured Trae Young at the trade deadline. Though Young only played five games for the Wizards last season, the 27-year-old signed a 4-year, $212 million contract just a few days ago, with a player option in year four.

Washington also traded for Anthony Davis back in February, the centerpiece in a three-team, nine-player deal that saw Dallas move on from the trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers. Davis didn’t play a single game for Washington, as he sat out to let his torn ligament in his left hand heal.

With the 2024 NBA Draft #2 overall pick, Alex Sarr, improving in his second year in the NBA, fans will also be keen to watch him further develop. The 21-year-old put up 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game last season while his shooting percentage skyrocketed from 39.4% to 48.2%. However, he suffered a fractured right foot last week during offseason workouts and recently underwent surgery. He’s expected to make a full recovery.

While Washington’s other guard is a question, Kyshawn George is currently the popular pick to start at shooting guard. He’s also recovering from an injury he suffered in March, when George was diagnosed with a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. He sat out the remainder of the season.

Major NBA Draft day headlines

The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft concluded when the Phoenix Suns acquired Koa Peat at No. 30 after the New York Knicks traded their No. 25 pick, Sergio De Larrea, to the Dallas Mavericks at No. 30 and then traded that pick to the Suns.

The New York Knicks, who are facing major salary cap issues after their unbelievable NBA Championship run, were able to parlay the #24 pick into five second-round picks and cash.

The Dallas Mavericks raised eyebrows with the number nine pick, picking University of Michigan big man Morez Johnson Jr., reuniting him with newly-hired head coach Dusty May, who led Johnson and his teammates to the NCAA Championship in April with the Wolverines.

The Philadelphia 76ers had to be surprised, as impressive Alabama point guard Labaron Philon Jr. fell all the way to #22, while the San Antonio Spurs stocked up with Jayden Quaintance and NBA-ready Tarris Reed Jr. That duo will give San Antonio even more size and athleticism as they look to make a repeat run to the NBA Finals behind Victor Wembanyama.

Full 2026 NBA Draft first round results