Wizards Turn to AJ Dybantsa in Search of a Brighter Future

WASHINGTON, D.C. – For nearly half a century, the Washington Wizards have searched for the player who could return the franchise to prominence. On Tuesday night, they placed that hope in AJ Dybantsa.

With the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the Wizards selected the BYU freshman and consensus No. 1 prospect in the draft.

When NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the selection, Dybantsa rose from his table, put on a black Wizards cap that matched his black suit and made his way to the stage. Silver announced him as Anicet Francois Dybantsa Jr., a moment that carried special meaning for the newest Wizard.

During the draft, Dybantsa wore flag pins representing Jamaica and the Republic of Congo, honoring the heritage of his mother and father. He also requested that his full first name, Anicet, be used during the announcement as a tribute to his father.

Born in Boston and raised in Brockton, Massachusetts, Dybantsa arrives in Washington after a remarkable freshman season at BYU.

The 6-foot-9, 217-pound wing averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists while leading the nation in scoring. He guided BYU to the NCAA Tournament while emerging as one of college basketball’s most dynamic players.

Dybantsa is already familiar with the nation’s capital and expressed enthusiasm about beginning his NBA career in Washington.

“D.C. is a great city,” Dybantsa said after being selected. “I’ve been there a couple times. Played there. I like D.C.”

His combination of size, athleticism and all-around skill made him the clear choice at No. 1 overall.

“I’m a super versatile player,” he said. “I can guard 1 through 5. I play the game the right way. I try to get wins.”

At 6-foot-9, Dybantsa has drawn comparisons from scouts to Kevin Durant, his favorite player growing up. Scouts have praised his ability to score at all three levels while defending multiple positions.

He later summed up his game in three words:”I’m box office.”

Since General Manager Will Dawkins arrived in 2023, the organization has focused on acquiring talent, accumulating draft assets and maintaining long-term flexibility. Dybantsa had been on the Wizards’ radar long before Washington won the draft lottery, giving the organization ample opportunity to evaluate the player many considered the best prospect in the class.

Dawkins said the Wizards were drawn not only to Dybantsa’s talent, but also to his character.

“He is a special person,” Dawkins said. “I can’t wait for the city to really embrace him. He’s already started his own foundation giving back to people back in Massachusetts, Jamaica, Africa. He really is about where he wants to be.”

Dawkins also left little doubt about what he believes Dybantsa can become on the court.

“We’re definitely getting a difference maker on the basketball court. There’s no doubt about that,” Dawkins said. “What I would want our fans to know night one is that he is a worker. He is a passionate person who loves basketball and will continue to work and get better.”

“He’s just a competitor,” Dawkins said. “He sees a challenge and he attacks it. I’ve seen that from a very young age to where he is now. He has a humility about him that he knows how good he is, but he wants to keep working so he can reach the highest level.”

The Wizards won their only NBA championship in 1978 when the franchise was known as the Bullets. Washington returned to the NBA Finals in 1979 but lost to the Seattle SuperSonics and has not been back since. The franchise has not reached the Eastern Conference Finals since that same season and has not won 50 games in a season since 1979, nearly half a century ago.

More recently, Washington has gone 50-196 over the past three seasons while rebuilding its roster through the draft and player development.

For Dawkins, Wizards owner Ted Leonsis and Head Coach Brian Keefe, selecting Dybantsa was one of the most significant decisions the franchise has made in recent years.

The last time Washington held the first overall pick was in 2010 when the Wizards selected John Wall. Wall became a five-time NBA All-Star and helped return Washington to the playoffs, but the franchise is still searching for the player who can lead it back to championship contention.

The Wizards are not asking Dybantsa to rebuild the franchise by himself.

Unlike many recent No. 1 overall picks, he joins a roster that already includes veteran stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis, along with young talents Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Will Riley and Cam Whitmore.

Dybantsa said the existing talent on the roster was one of the things that appealed to him about Washington.

“Obviously they have a great young core, and the potential is there,” Dybantsa said. “Them adding me, I think I can help them a little bit. Them re-signing Trae Young, them having A.D. and having good vets along with our young core. I think we can do big things.”

He also believes his game fits naturally alongside the players already in place.

“I think I bring versatility. Obviously, them re-signing Trae, having AD, I think I can fit in as an off-ball guy that can just score in different ways,” Dybantsa said.

“Score in transition. Score off the catch. Score off the dribble.”

Dybantsa said the Wizards also challenged him to make an impact on the defensive end.

“They challenged me when they talked to me, saying, ‘If we pick you, we want you to play defense 94 feet and pick up,'” he said. “So I definitely bring that too.”

As Capital One Arena undergoes a major transformation, the franchise is entering a new era on and off the court.

The anticipation extends beyond the fan base. Wizards radio broadcasters Dave Johnson and Glenn Consor, along with Monumental Sports Network’s Chris Miller, Drew Gooden and Meghan McPeak, could have plenty of memorable moments to cover during the 2026-27 season.

Dybantsa, meanwhile, has never lacked confidence in himself.

“I was just super confident. I’ve been betting on myself for a while now,” Dybantsa said. “Since about ninth grade I’ve been No. 1, so I didn’t really plan on dropping in the draft.”

“I’ve been No. 1 my whole life and people gunning after me,” he said. “So it’d be a bigger motivation for me going into the league.”

Whether Dybantsa ultimately fulfills the lofty expectations that come with being the No. 1 overall pick remains to be seen.

The Wizards have spent decades trying to find their way back among the NBA’s contenders. On Tuesday night, they found the player they believe can help lead them there.

For a franchise searching for a brighter future, that journey has officially begun.