Wizards opt for BYU's Dybantsa with No. 1 pick
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- AJ Dybantsa went No. 1 to the Washington Wizards after averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals on 51% shooting in his lone BYU season — the first Division I scoring leader to go first overall since Glenn Robinson out of Purdue in 1994.
- The Wizards finished 17-65 last season, their third straight year with 64 or more losses, and have not made the playoffs since 2021; Dybantsa joins John Wall (2010) and Kwame Brown (2001) as Washington's only No. 1 picks ever.
- Trae Young intends to sign a four-year, approximately $212 million extension to stay with Washington, while Anthony Davis becomes eligible for a four-year extension on Aug. 6 — moves the team paired with Dybantsa to accelerate a rebuild owner Ted Leonsis says is "a year ahead of the plan."
- Darryn Peterson went No. 2 to Utah, Cameron Boozer No. 3 to Memphis and Caleb Wilson No. 4 to Chicago, as eight straight college freshmen opened the draft — matching the record set in 2024.
- The Milwaukee Bucks, who traded two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami, took Arizona guard Brayden Burries at No. 10 and are acquiring Tennessee forward Nate Ament (selected No. 13 by the Heat) as part of the return package.
- Wizards management has already challenged Dybantsa to "play defense 94 feet," and John Wall compared the 6-9 forward to "a young Tracy McGrady," suggesting he could move to the 3 alongside 6-8 guard Kyshawn George in one of the league's tallest lineups.
Why it matters: The Wizards are committing roughly $212 million to extend Trae Young while building around Dybantsa, whom John Wall compared to a young Tracy McGrady. Washington's 120-290 record since 2021 is the NBA's worst over that span, and the franchise has not reached the second round since 1979 — making this pick the centerpiece of a four-phase plan owner Ted Leonsis now says is running ahead of schedule.
Ask SkimNews
