AJ Dybantsa to Wizards, Watch Highlights of No. 1 Pick in 2026 NBA Draft

The Washington Wizards have a new franchise cornerstone.

Washington selected BYU star AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 NBA draft on Tuesday.

Dybantsa was a dominant college player and is one of the headliners of a loaded draft class. He played just one season at BYU but took full advantage of that limited time as a First-Team All-American and the Big 12 Rookie of the Year.

He averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 51 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from deep. He helped lead the Cougars to the NCAA tournament and impressed NBA scouts along the way.

Here is a look at Dybantsa's highlights from his one collegiate season.

Highlights

Scouting Report

One look at the pro comparison from B/R's Jonathan Wasserman underscores just how much potential Dybantsa has entering the NBA.

Wasserman listed Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown as Dybantsa's "realistic pro comparison" and noted they are both "powerful wings that can explode to the rim, score through contact and draw fouls. They're also advanced shotmakers from all levels, even if their three-point percentages don't jump off the page."

Wasserman also listed physical tools, athleticism, shotmaking and playmaking potential among Dybantsa's strengths while highlighting a need to improve his three-point shooting, defensive impact and ability to play off the ball as weaknesses.

Ultimately, though, Dybantsa has star potential.

If he lives up to those expectations, the Wizards could have a new face of their franchise for years to come.