Washington Wizards select BYU's AJ Dybantsa with first overall pick in 2026 NBA Draft

The Washington Wizards made history on Wednesday by selecting Brigham Young University forward AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, marking the franchise’s first No. 1 selection and the first time BYU has ever produced a top draft choice. The 6-foot-8-inch, 19-year-old wing was scooped up by the Wizards after a single standout season in college basketball, where he averaged 18.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 48% from the field and 39% from three-point range. The selection was confirmed across multiple outlets, including Reuters , Al Jazeera , and Finnish broadcaster RTVSLO .

Dybantsa’s selection caps a meteoric rise that began in Utah, where he played just one season for BYU before declaring for the draft. His combination of size, athleticism, and sharpshooting has drawn comparisons to versatile wings like Jayson Tatum, though analysts caution that his one-year college sample size leaves questions about his readiness for NBA physicality. The Wizards, who finished 32-50 in the 2025-26 season, are banking on Dybantsa as a cornerstone piece alongside Bradley Beal and a revamped roster under new head coach Wes Unseld Jr. “We’re getting a player with elite upside,” Wizards general manager Will Dawkins told reporters. “AJ’s ability to create his own shot and defend multiple positions gives us a foundation to build around.”

The draft’s top tier had been widely anticipated, with Finnish forward Lauri Markkanen’s Utah Jazz selecting Washington State guard Darryn Petterson at No. 2, as reported by Finland’s *Helsingin Sanomat* . Spanish prospects also made waves, with Aday Mara heading to the Oklahoma City Thunder and De Larrea to the Dallas Mavericks, according to *El Mundo* . Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets added German duo Hannes Steinbach and Jack Kayil, with a greeting from Dirk Nowitzki noted by the *Tagesspiegel* .

For Dybantsa, the transition to the NBA will be swift. The Wizards have already signaled their intent to integrate him into the rotation immediately, with summer league appearances likely in July. His arrival in Washington also coincides with the franchise’s push to rebrand under new ownership, led by billionaire investor Mitchell Rales. “This is a new era,” Dybantsa said in a post-draft statement. “I’m ready to work and prove I belong.” The 2026 draft class, widely regarded as one of the deepest in recent years, now shifts focus to the Wizards’ summer development program, where Dybantsa’s progress will be scrutinized as closely as his on-court debut.