Wizards select Dybantsa with No. 1 pick

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The Washington Wizards selected BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

Dybantsa is the Wizards' third first overall pick following the selections of Kwame Brown (2001) and John Wall (2010).

Dybantsa led Division I in scoring in his lone collegiate season with 25.5 points on 51% shooting. He was a consensus first-team All-American and earned both first-team Big 12 and conference Freshman of the Year honors.

The 19-year-old is an elite athlete and three-level scorer who should make an immediate impact at the next level. He thrives in face-up scenarios, in the mid-range, and when attacking downhill. Dybantsa's blend of quickness and top-shelf physicality allows him to exploit matchups, and his shot creation is among the best in this draft. His movement is fluid, and he boasts an explosive first step.

Bio

Position: SF
School: BYU
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 210 lbs
Year: Freshman
Wingspan: 7-foot
Max vertical: 42 inches

2025-26 stats at BYU:

Dybantsa can also operate as a point forward and primary facilitator thanks to his skilled ball-handling and passing, and his ability to change speed and read defenses creates opportunity for teammates. Dybantsa's 3-point shooting showed signs of improvement throughout his freshman campaign, as did his defensive skills, indicating remarkable upside in both areas.