Wizards pick – AJ Dybantsa became the first player in BYU history to be selected No. 1 overall, going to a Washington Wizards franchise eager to climb back toward relevance after a 17-65 season.
AJ Dybantsa didn’t wait for the noise to settle—he sat down beside his sisters after being called, listened to the moment land, then said: “It just means a lot.” The BYU forward added, “I have a lot more work to do.”
At the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, the Washington Wizards made him the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, turning a near-lifelong dream into a new chapter for a franchise that hasn’t won a title since 1978.
Dybantsa arrives in Washington to join Trae Young and Anthony Davis. two stars the Wizards are already leaning on as they try to stop the slide and start building something sturdier. The Wizards missed the playoffs after 2021 and closed last season with a 17-65 record—worst in decades—yet the mood around the organization has shifted quickly. Young signed a four-year, $212 million extension just 24 hours before the draft, and Davis committed to the franchise.
On the court, Dybantsa’s case for the top pick was straightforward. He 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 also makes him the first BYU player ever taken first overall in the NBA Draft.
A 19-year-old forward at 6ft 9in with a seven-foot wingspan, Dybantsa also brings international hardware to the picture, having won three gold medals with USA Basketball. Scouts have compared his scorer’s instinct to Tracy McGrady’s.
Even with the strong momentum toward Dybantsa, the night wasn’t without tension. Kansas guard Darryn Peterson was considered by some to be the superior prospect and had confidence in his chances of going No. 1 right up until draft night. Instead, Peterson’s camp had to settle for the second pick. The Utah Jazz selected Peterson at No. 2.
Peterson averaged 20.2 points at Kansas, but injury and illness limited him to 24 of a possible 35 games during his freshman season.
Young, meanwhile, offered his own confident view of what comes next in Washington, saying recently: “Imagine the Wizards as the No.1 team in the East next year. Trust me, I’m probably just entering my prime.”
The draft’s next steps followed quickly after Dybantsa’s call. With the third pick, the Memphis Grizzlies selected Duke forward Cameron Boozer, the son of former NBA star Carlos Boozer. Boozer, a 6ft 8in freshman, averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds at Duke and earned AP National Player of the Year honours.
The Chicago Bulls then went with North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson with the fourth pick. Wilson is listed at 6ft 8in and was described as one of the most athletic players in this year’s draft class, though his college season was cut short by injury.
The Los Angeles Clippers picked Georgia Tech guard Keaton Wagler at No. 5. Wagler was the overwhelming favourite for the Clippers throughout the pre-draft process, and he’s been labeled a crafty scorer with a strong feel for the game.
At No. 6, the Brooklyn Nets selected Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. The 6ft 5in combo guard surged up draft boards in the weeks leading up to the draft.
The Sacramento Kings chose one of the most dynamic offensive guards in the class at No. 7, taking Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. 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 moved next at No. 8, selecting Houston guard Kingston Flemings, described as a sharp shooter who impressed at the draft combine with top-notch agility scores.
With the ninth pick, the Dallas Mavericks selected Michigan centre Morez Johnson Jr. The move was a surprise at that stage, as Johnson had been projected by most analysts to fall into the mid-to-late lottery.
The Milwaukee Bucks completed the top ten by selecting Arizona guard Brayden Burries at No. 10. Burries is a two-way guard who shot 39 per cent from three at Arizona.
Golden State followed with the 11th pick, taking Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg. The Warriors’ selection gives them frontcourt versatility, with the Dominican Republic international described as a key part of Michigan’s run to the national championship this season.
The Michigan Wolverines made that part of the story even louder. The Wolverines had never had more than one player selected in the lottery, but on Tuesday night they had three, with Morez Johnson Jr., Lendeborg and Mara all going in the top 12.
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 young big man to develop.
Across the top of the board. the draft delivered two clear images at once: Washington’s attempt to pair its new-found momentum with a potential franchise cornerstone. and a deep Michigan night that broke its own history. Dybantsa’s call-up to first overall changed the future of the Wizards’ rebuild—right when the franchise felt ready to believe again.
AJ Dybantsa BYU Washington Wizards 2026 NBA Draft Trae Young Anthony Davis Darryn Peterson Utah Jazz Cameron Boozer Duke Memphis Grizzlies Caleb Wilson Chicago Bulls Keaton Wagler Keaton Mikel Brown Jr. Darius Acuff Jr. Kingston Flemings Morez Johnson Jr. Brayden Burries Yaxel Lendeborg Aday Mara Michigan Wolverines
Tracy McGrady?? wow I’m already calling it a bust for Washington or nah
So BYU guy goes first overall and the Wizards are still 17-65? Makes no sense, like just because you draft one good player the whole team fixes itself right?
Wait it says he’s joining Trae Young and Anthony Davis… didn’t Davis like already play somewhere else like 2 years ago? I swear these rosters change every Tuesday. Also 25.5 points is cool but rebounds and assists don’t stop games by itself
I don’t even follow basketball like that but I heard BYU always plays weird like their players are all Mormon so it’ll be like a “good boy” scandal free era for DC?? Anyway 1978 no titles that’s crazy. If they were smart they would’ve picked the Kansas kid everyone was talking about (Peterson?) but they always hype the “scoring instinct” thing and then nothing changes.